The eye is a delicate and complex organ that allows us to visualize our world. The eye is constantly sending images and information to the brain for interpretation and appropriate action. If this flow of information is blocked or inhibited in any way, vision impairments can arise. It is important to stay one step ahead in identifying and treating eye conditions to avoid irreversible damage and possible blindness.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are the most common eye problems and are the primary reason individuals use corrective lenses. Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia are the four types of refractive errors caused by an abnormal eye shape resulting in distortions in how light is bent and refracted. Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are similar in that a person is unable to focus clearly on objects far away or close-up, respectively. Astigmatism results from an abnormally curved cornea causing focus problems, and presbyopia is an age-related disorder in which focusing on close-up objects becomes difficult. Corrective lenses or refractive surgery are highly successful in treating refractive errors.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a quite common eye disease characterized by a clouding of the lens of the eye. Most cases are due to the natural process of getting older as approximately half of individuals over the age of 80 have cataracts, according to the National Eye Institute. Protein deposits build and clump together on the lens leading to vision impairments. The most common symptoms include blurred or cloudy vision, and light appearing brighter and more glaring. Cataract treatment is generally successful and involves corrective lenses for minor vision impairments, and surgery to remove and replace the lens when the symptoms worsen.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases whereby increased fluid pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is located in the back of the eye and functions in sending images from the eye to the brain. Damage to this nerve causes field of vision reductions, tunnel vision, and the inability to see images clearly. There is no cure for glaucoma, but many treatments exist to relieve the pressure and delay or prevent further damage from occurring. Anyone can get glaucoma and it is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the College of Optometrists.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
The macula is located at the center of the retina and provides fine, detailed vision information to the brain. Age-related macular degeneration is a condition in which the macula degenerates due to age. The exact cause is unknown, but it involves a lack of nutrients reaching the macula. Degeneration causes problems in seeing objects clearly causing vision problems, especially in reading and driving. Two types of age-related macular degeneration exist: wet and dry. Wet evolves from abnormal blood vessel growth and develops very quickly. Dry is a gradual process involving the slow breakdown of the cells in the macula. Surgery or injectable medications are used to treat age-related macular degeneration.
