The detailed workings of the eye offer the wonders of sight. In some people, these small processes that keep the eye working properly may break down, causing conditions that prevent good vision. During routine eye exams, an eye doctor will examine a person's vision and overall eye health. However, many people do not see an eye doctor routinely. Understanding common ailments of the eye may encourage a person to have an eye exam if symptoms appear.
Dry Eye
Many people experience dry eye. Symptoms typically include stinging, irritation, redness and blurry vision. This condition results from the eye's inability to produce enough tears, or the eye does not produce tears that have a high quality, says the University of Illinois at Chicago. If the eye does not produce enough tears, the surface of the eye dries out. If any of the three layers of tear film do not have the right balance, the tears cannot properly coat the eye's surface and provide adequate nourishment. Many eye doctors recommend using artificial tears. These eye drops do not contain medications and most pharmacies have them. If artificial tears do not ease symptoms, an eye doctor may recommend a prescription eye drop or surgical treatment for the condition.
Cataracts
Many people have cataracts since this condition occurs as part of the natural aging process of the eye. Inside the front of the eye sits a lens that directs light onto the back of the eye, which converts the information and passes this onto the brain, says the National Eye Institute. The brain then converts this information into a visual image. Over time, the lens will begin to turn hard, thick and yellow, a condition known as a cataract. The cataract will distort the light that passes, disrupting vision. As the cataract continues to thicken, a person may require more light to perform daily tasks, such as reading. Updating an eye glass prescription may help in the early stages of cataracts, but vision with advanced cataracts will not improve with glasses. At this stage, a doctor will recommend cataract surgery to restore vision.
Floaters
Many people experience floaters, or black spots, that move in their vision. Floaters often result from the aging process of the vitreous, the thick, jelly-like substance that fills that back chamber of the eye. As the vitreous ages, it shrinks, causing it to clump into strands, says the National Eye Institute. People who have floaters see them in many shapes, often as round spots, but sometimes as long thin strings. Doctors do not have medications to treat floaters, but, if floaters fill a person's vision, they may recommend surgery to remove them. Though floaters occur as a normal aging process, if a person has a sudden onset of many new floaters, this may indicate a retinal detachment. This occurs when the back, inner lining of the eye peels away, often resulting in a black or gray "curtain" in the vision. This condition requires immediate medical attention in order to restore vision and prevent permanent damage.
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