Take Control of Your Eye Health: Types of Eye Diseases

What is Eye Disease?

Eye diseases are any medical condition that affects the eyes, such as infections, inflammation, genetic abnormalities, degeneration, or trauma. Many types of eye diseases can cause vision loss or blindness. It is estimated that more than 2.2 million Americans have some form of vision impairment or blindness.

Common Eye Diseases

The most common eye diseases include:

Cataracts
Glaucoma
Age-related macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Keratoconus

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in older adults. Cataracts are caused by a clouding of the lens of the eye, which blocks light from reaching the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light. Cataracts can be treated with surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which is caused by an increase in pressure inside the eye. Symptoms of glaucoma include blurred vision, difficulty seeing in dim light, and loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma can be treated with medication, surgery, or laser therapy.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55. Symptoms of AMD include blurred or distorted vision, difficulty reading, and difficulty seeing in dim light. AMD can be treated with medications, laser surgery, and nutritional supplements.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the retina. It is caused by high blood sugar levels, which can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and floaters in the vision. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy includes laser surgery, injection of medications, and pan-retinal photocoagulation.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, resulting in blurred vision and distorted vision. Symptoms of keratoconus include difficulty seeing in dim light, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Treatment of keratoconus includes eyeglasses, contact lenses, and corneal cross-linking.

Take Control of Your Eye Health

It is important to take control of your eye health to prevent vision loss or blindness. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect eye diseases in their early stages. If you have any of the symptoms of the common eye diseases listed above, it is important to see an eye doctor immediately.