How to identify and treat 6 of the most prolific eye conditions
We often take our eyesight for granted – most of us are born with healthy eyes and don’t know any different. Sadly, that isn’t the case for many Americans, with approximately 12 million over-40s suffering from vision impairment, including over 4 million who are either legally blind or suffer from extremely low vision. The good news is many of these eye problems come with early warning signs or symptoms, which can be prevented, corrected, or stopped in their tracks before they become serious. Let’s look at the most common eye conditions, how to identify them, and what to do if you spot any of the symptoms.
- Glaucoma
The second leading cause of blindness worldwide and thought to affect around 3 million Americans, glaucoma is a condition that affects the fibers of the eye nerve and optic nerve. When left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and, in extreme cases, irreversible blindness. It usually results from increased pressure in the eye, which gradually damages and impacts your peripheral and then central vision.
Warning signs – Symptoms can include a gradual loss of peripheral vision, eye pain, nausea, blurred vision, or tunnel vision. Unfortunately, in around 50% of people, there are no symptoms at all – so regular eye tests are crucial.
Who is at risk? While anyone can get glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40, all people over 60, those with a family history of the disease, and people with diabetes are at higher risk.
Treatment – Early diagnosis is critical for slowing the progress of the condition. While it’s irreversible, it can be treated with eye drops, oral medicine, or surgery to reduce the pressure when identified early.
- Refractive errors
The most common cause of eye problems in the United States, refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. When light isn’t bent correctly (or refracted) when passing through your cornea, these errors occur, causing vision issues.
Warning signs – The main symptoms include blurred vision (particularly at night), strings, halos or dark specks in your vision, double vision, ongoing eye strain, and trouble focusing.
Who is at risk? Most refractive errors are inherited and are usually noticed in childhood.
Treatment – Following a comprehensive eye exam, the best treatment based on your specific issue will be recommended. This can range from correcting eyeglasses to contact lenses or surgery. The National Eye Institute estimates that proper treatment could improve the vision of 150 million Americans, so it’s not something you need to live with.
- Cataracts
The leading cause of blindness worldwide, cataracts are the development of a cloud-like pigment in the eyes, distorting and eventually robbing people of their vision. Cataracts can develop in one eye or both and worsen over time.
Warning signs – When a cataract clouds the eye’s lens, sufferers notice blurred (or often described as cloudy) vision, difficulty in telling colors, eye pain and discomfort, and increased sensitivity to light.
Who is at risk? An estimated 20.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older have cataracts in one or both eyes. However, they can occur at any age (and can be present at birth), and there is a variety of causes— these include aging, genetic disorders, health issues, or injuries.
Treatment – Without surgery, cataracts eventually lead to complete blindness. Surgery is the best treatment option, with an extremely high success rate of 98% or higher for the surgeries performed in the U.S each year. Unfortunately, barriers like lack of insurance cover, treatment costs, and lack of awareness prevent many people from receiving proper treatment. This is a huge issue in the developing world, where only a small percentage of sufferers receive surgery.
- Diabetic retinopathy
As the name suggests, people with diabetes are particularly susceptible to diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when blood sugar levels cause progressive damage to the retina’s blood vessels, impacting vision. Like glaucoma, this damage can progress slowly over a long time, and can often go unnoticed.
Warning signs – Blurred vision, dark spots, cloudy vision, and involuntary movements in the eyes are all warning signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Who is at risk? Over time, more than half of people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. The risk increases the longer you have diabetes, and diabetic women who are pregnant are at greater risk, as are women who have gestational diabetes.
Treatment – Regular monitoring is crucial, and good diabetes management can keep any issues under control. Early diabetic retinopathy can be treated with simple medications, whereas more advanced diabetic retinopathy is treated with surgery or laser therapy.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
The leading cause of vision problems in over-65s, this common issue results from a thinning of the ‘macula’, which are critical light-sensing cells in the retina, crucial for central vision.
Warning signs – Mild blurriness or trouble seeing in low light are AMD symptoms, and straight lines often start to look wavy or crooked.
Who is at risk? Hereditary factors play a significant role in AMD, and Caucasians are most likely to suffer from it. If you have light-colored eyes, you also have greater odds of developing AMD. Smokers are four times more likely than non-smokers to have AMD.
Treatment – While there’s no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progress of AMD. Regular eye exams are critical, and it’s recommended if you’re over 45 years of age, you should get a complete eye exam and follow-up exams every 2-4 years.
- Dry eye
Not surprisingly, dry eye occurs when there’s a lack of lubrication (natural oils, water, or mucus) in the eye.
Warning signs – A stinging sensation, sore or red eyes, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing can all be symptoms of dry eye.
Who is at risk? Over-50s are at greater risk, as our production of natural lubricants tends to diminish with age. Women are also more likely to suffer from it – particularly during hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause. Other environmental factors like dry air, first or second-hand smoke, and excessive screen time can also contribute to dry eye disease.
Treatment – Depending on the severity and cause, dry eye is commonly treated with medication to reduce inflammation or eye drops to lubricate. In some instances, specialized computer glasses can help reduce symptoms associated with prolonged use of digital devices. Surgery may be necessary in some circumstances.
Frequent and thorough check-ups can save your sight
The single best thing you can do to minimize your risk of suffering from any of the eye issues outlined is committing to regular and thorough eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults (with no signs or risk factors of eye issues) get a complete eye examination at age 40 and then every 2-4 years until age 64. Once 65 or older, eyes should be checked every year or two.
If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms outlined above, consult with a medical professional as soon as possible.
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