Many eye conditions do not cause serious eye problems, though some diseases may result in vision loss. Routine eye exams will help detect eye diseases and prevent damage to the eye. The doctor will perform vision tests and examine the back of the eye to check for signs of disease. As well, knowing the causes of many eye diseases may help prevent some eye conditions.
Heredity
Some eye diseases result from genetics. These conditions may lead to severe vision loss or blindness. For example, retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic condition that does not have a treatment, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This condition will slowly decrease vision, causing blindness in advanced stages. Other conditions such as early cataracts and macular degeneration may also have links to genetic factors according to Duke University's Center for Human Genetics.
Eye Structure
The structure of the eye also causes some eye diseases. The cornea sits at the front of the eye and serves as a window for letting light into the back of the eye. Some people have cone-shaped corneas, a condition called keratoconus. This condition changes the way the light enters the eye, causing blurry vision, and in some cases, corneal scarring, according the National Eye Institute. Some types of glaucoma, such as narrow angle or angle closure glaucoma, occurs due to the structure of the eye. If the canal that drains the fluid of the eye narrows or closes, the pressure inside the eye builds, damaging the optic nerve.
Lifestyle
Frequent exposure to sunlight may cause growths on the surface of the eye, says the Environmental Protection Agency. Though these growths do not typically cause serious eye damage, they may grow over the front of the eye and distort vision. Sunlight exposure may also increase the risks for certain diseases, such as macular degeneration which causes damage to the back, resulting vision loss. Smoking and poor diet may also affect the health of the eye. Living an active, healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of eye disease.
