The human eye is a complex organ that transforms light into the things we perceive as reality. Just like every other organ in our bodies, the eye is susceptible to a variety of diseases. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, aside from protecting your eyes from accidents, early discovery and treatment of eye disorders may be the best way to keep your eyes healthy throughout your life.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common disease of the human eye that is characterized by a group of conditions that slowly deteriorate the optic nerve, eventually causing blindness. According to the Mayo Clinic, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness and is typically caused, but not always, by abnormally high pressure inside your eye called intraocular pressure. You may not notice any signs or symptoms of glaucoma as the disease tends to develop gradually over time. For many, by the time glaucoma is discovered, it is already at the advanced stages. Signs and symptoms of glaucoma include extreme eye pain, halos around lights, blurry vision, reddening of the eye and sudden onset of visual disturbance, often in low light. Damage done by glaucoma cannot be reversed but may be slowed with the proper treatment. Treatment of glaucoma is directed at reducing the pressure that causes it.
Cataracts
Cataracts are another common disorder that affect the eyes and are described as a clouding of the generally clear lens of your eye. According to the Mayo Clinic, cataracts usually affect people's distance vision and can cause problems with glare. Cataracts normally don't cause any kind of irritation or pain. Since most cataracts develop slowly, they don't disturb your vision early on. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a cataract becomes evident when proteins in the lens of your eye clump together and obstruct light from hitting the retina. Some cataracts may develop as a consequence of chemical changes in the lens that occur with aging. Other cataracts may develop as a genetic birth defect or as a result of a traumatic injury to the eye area. Symptoms of cataracts include decreased or blurred vision, double vision, halos around lights and brown spots in the visual field. Risk factors for developing cataracts include age, with those older than 50 being more susceptible; certain medications; genetic or family history; smoking; and excessive exposure to sunlight. When cataracts are detected early, treatment can include drug therapy with medicine or eye drops. Advanced cataracts that begin to interfere with daily life may require surgical removal.
Macular Degeneration
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, macular degeneration is a condition of the eye that damages the core of the retina, which is called the macula. Damage to the retina can make it increasingly more difficult to see fine details. With macular degeneration, damage is also done to the area around blood vessels that supply the macula. The condition is most frequent in people older than 60, which is why it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Other symptoms of macular degeneration include blurred vision, objects in your central vision may look hazy and dim and colors can look faded. Treatment for macular degeneration can include a healthy diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants and zinc, which may help slow the progression. Depending on which phase of macular degeneration you may have, laser surgery or photodynamic therapy may be another treatment option.
