You might not realize it, but your eyes are continually working to let you see the world around you clearly and precisely, every minute of every day. This means that there are times when something goes wrong with them, whether it’s an eye disease or vision condition, and your vision can be affected. Here’s a quick overview of eight common eye and vision conditions, what they look like, and what you should do if you think you have one or multiple of them.
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Common Eye And Vision Conditions: What You Should Know:
1) Cataract
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens. Most people who get cataracts are over 60 years old, but they can occur at any age. They may develop quickly or slowly. There are two types of cataracts: those that come on quickly and those that are slow to develop. When a cataract comes on quickly, there may be a sudden change in vision, such as blurriness or reduced sharpness.
2) Astigmatism – Eye Condition
In astigmatism, the cornea is not perfectly round. This can cause blurry vision and a feeling of eyestrain. It occurs in about 20% of people. Astigmatism is usually corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. An eye exam can diagnose this condition.
3) Presbyopia
The most common eye condition, presbyopia, is a natural age-related condition that affects your ability to focus on close objects. Presbyopia occurs when the lens in your eye loses elasticity and can’t change shape as easily to focus on something up close. Over time, you may need reading glasses or bifocals to read comfortably.
4) Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Eye Condition
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the most common eye condition in the United States. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 65% of Americans have myopia and 12% are severely nearsighted. While myopia can’t be cured, there are various treatments available to help mitigate vision problems.
5) Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia is a common eye condition in which distant objects appear to be closer than they really are. This can happen when the eyes cannot focus the light entering them, often because the eyeball is too long or the cornea has become too steep. It usually develops gradually, so vision may not deteriorate quickly. Treatment includes eyeglasses or contact lenses that bring nearby objects into focus.
6) Dry Eyes – Eye Condition
A dry eye is a condition where the eye’s tear film doesn’t work properly. It can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and other symptoms. The most common causes of dry eyes are contact lens use or computer usage. Other factors that may contribute to dry eye include age, medical conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy or hormonal changes, or certain medications such as antihistamines or decongestants.
7) Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. It can be difficult to detect and diagnose early because it doesn’t have any symptoms in its early stages. However, there are a number of warning signs that should not be ignored. These include eye pain, halos around lights, and loss of peripheral vision (the ability to see things on the side). If you experience any of these symptoms for over a month then it’s time to visit an ophthalmologist.
8) Floaters – Eye Condition
Floaters are often thought to be bits of dust or other matter that are floating in the vitreous gel inside your eye. When light passes through the vitreous gel, these particles cast shadows on the retina and cause people to see spots or cobwebs in their vision. Floaters can be alarming, but they are typically harmless. The good news is that most floaters will not increase in size as you get older.
The eye and vision conditions you have, as well as the severity of them, will determine your treatment options. The best thing to do is talk to a doctor about what’s going on with your eyes in order to get the right treatment. When you are experiencing an issue with your vision or eye health it’s important that you speak up. If left untreated, these problems can develop into more severe issues that will require more invasive procedures. The sooner that an issue is treated, the easier it’ll be for doctors to address the problem without any lasting side effects.
