Eye diseases are among the most prevalent health concerns that affect most of us, from those that do not cause any noticeable symptoms to more serious diseases that could even lead to blindness if left undetected for too long.

Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are just three eye diseases which need to be managed effectively; other minor issues like pterygium or pingueculae also must be attended to properly.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye condition in which the natural lens becomes cloudy, hindering light from passing through the pupil to be focused onto the retina at the back of the eye and converted into nerve signals sent to the brain. Cataracts may affect either eye, and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Some symptoms of cataracts include blurry or distorted vision, faded colors and difficulty seeing in dim light conditions.

Lens proteins are typically clear; however, with age they can clump together to form an opaque surface which obscures vision and impairs it. A nuclear cataract occurs when cloudiness appears centrally on the lens. Nuclear cataracts may be more serious than other types of cataracts because they cause loss of visual acuity.

Some individuals may inherit a tendency to cataracts. Other risk factors for cataract formation may include natural aging processes, diabetes, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption – as well as diseases affecting both eye and body health. It is best to prevent cataracts by getting regular comprehensive eye exams as well as managing other health conditions like diabetes.

As well as age, other risk factors for cataract formation include medications used to treat hypertension, glaucoma and myopia (nearsightedness). People who have experienced eye trauma or have hereditary or metabolic diseases as well as systemic illnesses are also at increased risk for cataract development.

Signs of cataracts include blurry vision, distortion of lights, haloing around light sources and more frequent prescription changes for eyeglasses and contact lenses. While early cataracts may be treated with prescription changes, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying glasses, advanced cases will require surgery to replace the lens.

Phacoemulsification is the go-to procedure for cataract removal. Using laser technology to break apart and disperse the cataract, followed by using a slit lamp microscope for examination, this fast, painless method offers fast results.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of disorders that cause increased pressure within the eyeball. Aqueous humor is constantly produced and released from the eye, but if too much builds up it can increase pressure within and damage optic nerves – eventually leading to blind spots in visual fields and irreversible blindness in some cases. Unfortunately, this disease often shows no early symptoms; half of those with it don’t even realize they have it! It can only be diagnosed through comprehensive eye exams, with early symptoms typically appearing as peripheral (side) vision loss as its first sign.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent form of glaucoma. This condition occurs when eye drainage angles become ineffective over time and don’t allow enough aqueous humor out quickly enough for normal pressure levels. Over time this slowly saps away side or peripheral vision, eventually damaging optic nerves permanently leading to blindness if left untreated.

Narrow-angle glaucoma occurs when someone’s iris comes too close to the drainage angle in their eye and blocks its opening, similar to when paper slides down a sink drain. This type of glaucoma is more hazardous than open-angle as it usually appears suddenly and requires immediate treatment or else rapid rises in eye pressure may occur, causing symptoms like throbbing eye pain, redness of eyes, nausea and blurred vision.

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but regular eye exams are crucial in order to detect it when it first begins and manage its progression before it damages your vision. It is recommended that everyone get their eyes examined around 40 years old; however, those at increased risk due to family history and ethnicity should undergo examination earlier.

Retina

The retina is the thin lining at the back of your eye that sends visual images to the brain, transmitting your field of view to it. Diseases of this tissue can lead to blurry vision, flashing lights or floaters appearing in your field of view and other problems; common examples are glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and macular detachment.

Cataracts are a natural part of aging. Cataracts occur when the focusing lens inside of an eye becomes cloudy, blocking light and leading to blurred or hazy vision. Common symptoms include double vision, halos around lights and difficulty reading or driving. Cataracts usually result from heredity and age but can also result from smoking, diabetes, eye injuries or sun exposure.

Ptosis, which occurs when the muscles that lift the lower lid become weak, results in its hanging down in front of the eyes and can be identified by symptoms such as drooping of lid, swelling eyelid, redness of eye, discharge from eyes or redness around them. Treatment options for Ptosis may include prescription eye drops or surgery.

Retinal tears and holes are an extreme danger that could lead to permanent loss of vision. They’re typically caused by fluid seeping underneath the retina and eventually detaching it, with symptoms including flashes of light in your peripheral vision and dark spots in your center vision.

If you experience retinal tears or detachments it is critical that medical help be sought immediately. A detached retina can lead to serious visual loss or blindness if left untreated, making treatment paramount. Retinal detachments tend to affect those over 40 and with very nearsighted vision or family histories of eye problems; injuries to the eyes or certain medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are often the culprits; other possible triggers include serious accidents such as falls.

Other common eye diseases include corneal ulcer, which is a crater-like lesion on the cornea caused by bacteria, viruses or fungus; keratitis – inflammation of eyelid tissue that covers cornea; and chalazion – an eyelid gland cystic swelling caused by bacteria infection.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an eye disease that attacks the middle layer (uvea) located just under the outer white layer (sclera), potentially damaging your eyesight and leading to permanent vision loss.

The Uvea contains blood vessels and supplies many parts of the eye with oxygenated blood. It lies between retina (innermost part) and sclera (outermost part).

Most cases of uveitis cannot be pinpointed to an exact cause, though autoimmune diseases like sarcoidosis or arthritis could play a part. Uveitis may also be caused by infections like herpes, syphilis or Lyme disease – smoking cigarettes and taking certain types of medication can increase your risk for uveitis as well.

An inflammation of the uvea can result in symptoms including pain, blurry vision and floating thread-like objects that appear suddenly and without warning. It usually affects one or both eyes at once.

Your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) will examine both of your eyes, discuss any symptoms you’re experiencing and dilate (enlarge) the pupils to better examine inside of each eye. He or she may also order blood tests and/or X-rays to ensure uveitis is unrelated to other health conditions.

Treatment includes taking medicines to reduce inflammation and stop scar tissue formation in your eye, such as corticosteroid eyedrops that can also be taken orally, such as corticosteroids. Your doctor may also prescribe other drugs to relieve your pain or widen (dialte) the pupil. In severe or long-lasting cases, surgery to extract vitreous fluid may be required – depending on its cause this could take place either at your doctor’s office or a surgical center – follow-up appointments are important to monitor progress and check for changes in your vision; earlier treatment can reduce chances of complications like glaucoma or retinal damage occurring.