Many eye conditions cause changes in the eye. Though the average person may have a difficult time keeping track of the numerous eye diseases and associated symptoms, a person may focus on a few of the more common signs of eye problems. Knowing some of the symptoms of common eye conditions may encourage you to seek an eye evaluation if you exhibit signs of eye deterioration or disease.
Central Vision
Central vision allows a person to read, recognize faces and perform other daily tasks. Some eye conditions cause the central vision to deteriorate. Cataracts commonly cause these vision changes as a part of the natural aging process of the eye. This occurs when the lens inside the eye hardens and turns yellow, distorting central vision, states the American Optometric Association. Cataract surgery will often return vision to normal.
Other eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, may cause permanent damage to central vision. The macula is an area on the back of the eye that plays a vital role in good central vision. If the macula deteriorates, central vision may blur. Also, a person may require more light for reading or have greater difficulty adapting to changes in lighting conditions, notes MayoClinic.com.
Side Vision
Some eye conditions may damage a person's side vision, and glaucoma commonly causes these changes. This condition occurs when the eye has an imbalance in the amount of fluid entering and leaving the eye, resulting in high eye pressures. The pressure damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, reports the National Eye Institute. The damage happens gradually, causing a very slow deterioration of side vision, and people do not notice changes in vision until the vision deteriorates dramatically, notes the institute. During a routine eye exam, a doctor will often discover signs of the disease, long before a person notices symptoms of deterioration. Many people use eyedrops to lower eye pressure and reduce the risk of vision loss.
Eye Comfort
Eye pain or surface irritation may also give a person clues about the presence of eye disease. The cornea covers the outer window of the eye and contains sensitive nerves. Corneal dystrophies may attack one or more layers of the cornea, causing pain and discomfort. Corneal infections, such as shingles in the eye, may cause intense pain and potential scarring of the cornea. Though anyone can have a shingles outbreak, older adults and people with weak immune systems have the greatest risk, according to the National Eye Institute. Anyone who experiences constant pain or irritation in the eyes should contact an eye doctor.
