People who experience vision problems, such as blurred vision, halos around lights and blind spots, should always consult with a medical professional, as these problems could be symptoms of eye disease, according to MedlinePlus. Optometrists perform eye exams, prescribe eye glasses and may diagnose eye problems even though they do not have an M.D. degree. Ophthalmologists have M.D. degrees and can diagnose and treat diseases of the eye.
Diabetic Diseases
Diabetic retinopathy is a complicating factor for people who have diabetes, says MedlinePlus. This disease occurs because of bleeding in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, and is a principal cause of blindness in diabetics.
Corneal Diseases
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), the cornea is the clear outer covering of the front of the eye. The cornea serves to protect the eye from germs and atmospheric particles. As the eye's outer lens, the cornea also serves to focus and control the light as it first enters the eye. One disease that can affect the cornea is keratoconus, which is a gradual thinning of the cornea, says the National Eye Institute. Keratoconus affects primarily teenagers and adults aged 20 to 30. As the thinned cornea pushes outward into a cone shape, distorted or blurry vision results. Another corneal disease is pterygium, which appears as a pink-colored, triangular tissue growth on the cornea, says the NEI. Doctors believe pterygia develop because of excessive exposure of the eye to the UV rays of the sun.
Retinal Diseases
One of the most important causes of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says the NEI. The main characteristic of AMD is a loss of clear, central vision that is necessary for tasks such as reading and driving. The macula, in the center of the retina at the back of the eye, contains light-sensitive cells. In its dry form, AMD involves the gradual breakdown of these cells and the concomitant blurring of central vision. The NEI has determined that people who have dry AMD can slow its progression by taking a specific formulation of antioxidants and zinc.
