Primary care physicians frequently encounter patients presenting with eye problems that range from benign to vision threatening. This handout will assist in the identification and treatment of common eye diseases through dilation of their pupils if possible.

Eye health is essential to living an enjoyable and satisfying life, so being aware of early symptoms of eye disease is paramount to protecting it and maintaining healthy vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, potentially leading to blindness. Commonly referred to as the “silent vision thief”, there are no early warning signs with open-angle glaucoma (OAG); vision loss gradually occurs over time and is permanent without treatment.

OAG arises when drainage canals of the eyes become blocked up and internal pressure of the eye increases significantly, damaging optic nerve fibers and gradually decreasing side/peripheral (non-straight ahead) vision. One symptom of glaucoma may include small blind spots appearing along peripheral vision lines; central (straight ahead) vision may also be impaired and give an illusion that one is looking through a tunnel.

An acute angle-closure glaucoma is a more serious form of glaucoma, and should be taken very seriously. It occurs when an eye’s draining area closes off suddenly, rapidly increasing intraocular pressure. Symptoms may include severe eye pain, headaches, redness, blurry vision and vomiting – it should be treated immediately by eye care professionals as a medical emergency.

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but it can be treated. Medication and surgery may slow the progression or stop altogether – so if your vision is being affected by glaucoma, contact Cheatham Eye Care now for a comprehensive eye exam. Our team is here to support all your eye health needs, with treatments for cataracts and glaucoma among many others.

Retinal Degeneration

Retinas are thin linings in the back of each eye that receive light signals from lenses and transmit them directly to the brain, with some common eye diseases being age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy being examples of retinal diseases.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition in which central vision gradually deteriorates over time, becoming the leading cause of vision loss among Americans aged 50 or above in the US and potentially leading to blindness without treatment.

AMD occurs when retinal pigment epithelium layer breakdown leads to abnormal blood vessel growth behind the macula that leaks fluid or blood and leads to scarring of macula tissue, ultimately leading to severe vision loss. There are two forms of AMD: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration is the more commonly encountered form and occurs when yellow protein-clumps called drusen form underneath retina; wet macular degeneration on the other hand occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under retina that begin leaking fluid or blood; dry macular degeneration being the more commonly encountered form while wet macular degeneration arises when abnormal blood vessels begin leaking fluid or blood; there can also be leakage of fluid or blood into macula. There are two major forms of AMD: dry and wet.

Astigmatism, which causes images to appear blurry due to an irregularly shaped cornea, affects nearly everyone and can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Ptosis (drooping of eyelid) can also cause vision issues that require correcting with surgery.

Other conditions that cause eye redness and itching include styes – infected areas on the surface of eyelids that need immediate treatment – detached retinas which must also be treated promptly, as they could potentially lead to blindness – it is therefore crucial that regular comprehensive dilated eye exams take place so your doctor can detect early signs of disease while providing you with advice regarding appropriate solutions.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area on your eye’s lens that focuses light onto the retina at the back. A cataract can lead to blurred or distorted vision, glare problems and, in extreme cases, blindness. They form when proteins in the lens of your eye break down and clump together; most cataracts occur as part of the natural aging process among those over age 60; however they can also result from eye injuries, diabetes, smoking obesity long-term use of corticosteroids or UV rays.

There are various types of cataracts, with nuclear (also called nuclear sclerosis) cataract being the most prevalent form. Located deep within your lens and impacting central vision, nuclear cataracts tend to make colors appear yellow or brown and interfere with colors being perceived accurately. Cortical cataracts are another popular variety; typically formed around outer edges of eyes before progressing to center lenses causing halo effects when looking at lights.

A posterior subcapsular cataract is another of the three common types of cataracts. It typically forms at the back of the eye, and most often affects people living with diabetes. A posterior subcapsular cataract often gives a cloudy appearance and interferes with your ability to read or drive, although generally these develop slowly without spreading from eye to eye. As with all forms of eye health problems, annual exams from your eye care professional and any sudden changes should be reported immediately to them for diagnosis and treatment.

Pterygium

Pterygiums are slow-growing flesh-colored lesions that form on the conjunctiva (the thin membrane that covers white parts of your eye) and then extend onto the cornea, growing gradually over time. Although not cancerous in nature, they may irritate eyes by producing redness or giving an uncomfortable sensation of having foreign objects in them. Pterygias often start in one corner closest to your nose before spreading rapidly onto corneal layers and blocking light from reaching central parts of your vision.

People who spend much of their time outside are at an increased risk of pinguecula or pterygium development. While its exact cause remains unknown, researchers believe ultraviolet rays from sunlight could play a part. Furthermore, dry eye syndrome or xerophthalmia has also been linked to its development.

As with most conditions, treating pterygium depends on its size and symptoms. If it’s small enough, eye drops or other treatments may suffice; otherwise surgery may be required depending on its size or rate of growth; with several surgical techniques available an ophthalmologist will help decide on a plan tailored specifically to you.

Cancers of the Surface of the Eye

Tumors on the surface of the eye may be either benign or cancerous; basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and sebaceous gland carcinoma are the three most frequently seen. Usually limited to just the eyelid itself, these cancerous growths rarely spread beyond it.

Less often than one might expect, an eye mole can develop into melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanomas usually develop near the pupil and may bleed or change shape/size over time. Left untreated, this potentially lethal cancer may eventually spread throughout nearby tissues.

Other cancers that can affect the cornea or eye socket tissue, though not usually life-threatening, include:

Other less frequent eye diseases may involve genetic conditions like aniridia, an iris disorder that ranges from partial absence of the iris to complex radial and colobomas. Aniridia increases fluid pressure within the eye and can damage its optic nerve as well as other structures inside.