See your doctor or optometrist immediately if you have a sudden change in vision or see flashes of light. Other symptoms that should receive attention right away are pain, double vision, fluid coming from the eye, floaters (specks or cobwebs in your field of vision) and inflammation. Sudden, painful sensitivity to normal light may also indicate more serious eye problems.
Common Eye Disorders
A cataract is a clouding of the lens. Symptoms include blurred vision, faded colors, glare from light, double vision, decreased night vision and weakening eyesight. Cataracts are very common in older people. Delay or prevent cataracts by wearing sunglasses and a hat to block harmful ultraviolet sunlight
Dry eyes are very common but they should not be ignored. Dryness may reflect a deficiency of a needed nutrient, injury to the eye or an allergy. Smog, chemical irritants, dust, wind, sunlight, contact lenses, low humidity, cigarette smoke, aspartame (an artificial sweetener), air conditioning, heaters and a side effect of some types of laser eye surgery are also common causes.
Infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both.
- Stye: when bacteria from your skin gets into a hair follicle of an eyelash a painful bump may occur. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, pus discharge or pain. Styes are treated with compresses, eye drops, creams and antibiotics.
- Conjunctivitis: 'pink eye' is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the delicate membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear but if irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen. Pink eye is often due to an infection and is very contagious. Rubbing your eyes or not cleaning contact lenses properly can cause it.
Night blindness can result from a nutrient deficiency of Vitamin A, which is required for the pigmented compounds of the eye to function properly. Through regular eye function, vitamin A is consumed and the body must regain it so that that the brain continue to receive messages from the eyes. Without enough vitamin A in the diet night blindness as well as other disorders such as macular degeneration can occur.
Age related macular degeneration or AMD is the leading cause of blindness in Caucasian people, though is relatively rare in people of other races. This degenerative condition of the central retina (macula) affects central vision, leaving peripheral vision intact. While the exact cause of AMD is not yet known, there may be a genetic link. Risk factors for this disorder include advancing age, farsightedness, exposure to ultraviolet sunlight, smoking and high blood pressure.
Diabetes and Eye Health
People with uncontrolled diabetes are at higher risk for eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. If you have diabetes, it is important to have an eye exam at least once a year. The retina is the tissue layer at the back of the eye that receives light and sends sensory images to the brain. At the center of this tissue is the macula which provides the sharp, clear central vision needed for seeing fine detail. Diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders affect this vital tissue and can seriously affect vision and even cause blindness.
Symptoms of eye disorders should not be ignored. They may signify serious health disorders that can be treated or prevented with the right care by a health professional. Regular eye check ups are important to maintain eye health.
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