The intricate structure of the eye, along with its sole responsibility for vision, makes routine eye exams a necessity. During an eye exam, an eye doctor can determine the health of the eyes and also watch for warning signs of problems. In ophthalmology, eye diseases may occur in the front, inner or back of the eye. In addition, some people may have multiple diseases or conditions at the same time, but early detection of diseases may help preserve vision.
Front of the Eye
One of the most common conditions of the front of the eye, dry eye, commonly causes irritation and blurred vision. Most people find relief with the use of artificial tears. Other eye conditions affecting the front of the eye typically involve the cornea, the front, clear window of the eye.
Fuch’s dystrophy occurs when cells of the cornea deteriorate, which causes corneal swelling and blurred vision, says the National Eye Institute. Shingles may affect the cornea as well, often flaring-up periodically, and, for some people, the conditions may eventually cause scarring on the cornea. This corneal scarring will often cause permanent changes in vision.
Keratoconus also affects the cornea. This condition causes the cornea to thin. A normal cornea appears slightly rounded, but keratoconus will cause the cornea to bulge out into a cone shape.
Middle of the Eye
Perhaps the most common eye disease to affect the middle of the eye is cataracts. This occurs as a part of aging, causing the natural lens inside the eye to turn hard and cloudy. Over time, cataracts will make reading or other tasks more difficult, and an eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery. The only way doctors can treat cataracts is with surgical removal, says The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Another condition, glaucoma, also occurs in the middle area of the eye. This condition results when the fluid in the front chamber of the eye cannot drain properly. As the fluid builds, the eye pressure often increases, and this causes damage to the optic nerve. In most forms of the disease, glaucoma takes many years to cause damage to vision. However, if left untreated, the condition will progressively damage side vision. Many people use prescription eye drops to control eye pressure.
Back of the Eye
Macular degeneration affects many people, typically older adults, causing damage to the central vision. The condition occurs when the macula, a sensitive area on the retina, deteriorates. Since many people with the condition keep their side vision, relying on this to see for most daily activities. In the wet form of macular degeneration, new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow and bleed under the macula. Though treatment helps stop the bleeding and swelling, with prompt attention, some people regain a portion of vision lost from wet macular degeneration, says the National Eye Institute. Other conditions affecting the back of the eye include retinal detachments and conditions related to diabetes.
