According to the National Eye Institute, there are not always symptoms that are evident with eye disease. Many conditions go unnoticed for years, except through regular eye exams. Annual eye examinations can uncover potential eye disease that could lead to blindness. At other times, eye disease is detected because of symptoms such as pain or inflammation in the eye, sudden changes in vision, blurring or double vision.
Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reports that various symptoms should be checked out immediately to prevent blindness. A detached retina following an accident often presents as partial vision loss or seeing spots and strings floating in the area of vision. Severe eye pain or cloudy vision can indicate the onset of glaucoma. Eye infections that cause tenderness and swelling can lead to permanent damage and should be treated immediately.
Risks
Certain populations, such as those with diabetes or allergies should pay extra attention to their vision because they can be prone to eye diseases, reports the AAFP. Too much sugar in the blood can cause diabetic vision loss, which can be avoided by proper insulin treatments. Red, itchy eyes can be a sign of an insect bite in the eyes or significant allergies that, left untreated, can lead to serious vision loss.
Cataracts
Cataracts are common in the elderly, reports the National Eye Institute. More than half the people over the age of 80 in the United States develop cataracts, which produce a cloudy film over the eyes' lenses. Cataracts produce cloudy vision, faded colors, difficulty with night vision and glare. Cataracts can be removed with surgery.
Glaucoma
The National Eye Institute reports that glaucoma is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. The disease results from a build-up of fluid behind the eyes that puts pressure on the optic nerves. There are few symptoms related to glaucoma, but tests are available that can check for the condition, allowing for early treatment. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40 and Mexican Americans past 60 are most at risk for developing glaucoma, according to the National Eye Institute. If caught early, glaucoma can be treated with surgery.
Retina Problems
Damage to the retina, which is the layer of tissue in the back of the eye that detects light, is another leading cause of blindness. The National Eye Institute reports that in addition to detached retinas, other diseases that can occur from damage to the retina include retinitis pigmetosa, retinal vessel occlusion and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. No treatment exists to treat eye diseases of the retina as most are a result of a genetic disorder.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an age-related eye disease most common in people over the age of 60. The central vision is destroyed and the eyes lose the ability to see fine detail. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that macular degeneration also can be detected early through an examination that can lead to early treatment. While there is no cure for macular degeneration, the symptoms can be reduced with surgery and vitamin therapy, if caught
