Many people fail to detect eye conditions due to a lack of awareness. While we all recognize the importance of our sense of sight, many people still fail to detect eye conditions due to a lack of understanding of common signs and symptoms.
It is also important to note that despite understanding the relevance of keeping good eye health, many still neglect to get routine eye check-ups.
- Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is a collective term that refers to the inability of the eyes to produce sufficient tears for lubrication. It also occurs when eyes only have poor-quality tears. While not severe, dry eyes can feel very uncomfortable when left untreated.
The most common signs of dry eye syndrome include eye redness, stringy mucus forming around the eyes, light sensitivity, itchiness, and eye fatigue. Dry eye treatment comes in simple home remedies, prescription medications, and advanced procedures developed to target the root cause and manage symptoms.
- Diabetes-related retinopathy
As the name suggests, diabetes-related retinopathy is a complication of uncontrolled diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Individuals with diabetic retinopathy suffer from severe damage to the blood vessels connected to the retina. Some symptoms of this condition include poor night vision, color blindness, and blurry vision. Available treatments include medications and vitrectomy, a surgical procedure for patients with advanced retinopathy.
- Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retina from the underlying tissues responsible for holding it in place. It’s a serious condition that can result in blindness without prompt treatment. The signs and symptoms will depend on the extent of retinal detachment.
People diagnosed with retinal detachment typically experience sudden flashes of light, dark spots across the vision, and dimming or loss of peripheral vision. Surgery and laser therapy are the most effective ways to reattach the retina or repair a retinal tear.
- Amblyopia
Amblyopia is a common eye issue in children. More commonly known as lazy eye, this condition is characteristic of reduced vision in one eye as the brain favors the other eye. As the brain and the lazy eye are not coordinated, the latter typically wanders inward or outward. If you suspect your child suffers from lazy eye, prevention is critical to ensure the problem doesn’t worsen over time. Prescription glasses and patch therapy are the two most effective techniques to treat lazy eyes.
- Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye, this eye issue is caused by inflammation of the tissue that lines the eyelids and the outermost coating of the eyes or conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye condition and must be treated immediately.
Like other inflammatory conditions, the most common signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchiness, redness, blurry vision, tearing, and abnormal eye discharge. Antibiotic eyedrop application is the fastest way to clear out the infection effectively.
Bottom line
While some vision problems can be easily managed or treated, some issues cannot be cured, mainly if irreversible damage has occurred. This is why it’s essential to schedule a routine eye exam to ensure early detection and treatment should you find yourself diagnosed with any of the eye conditions listed above.