5 Diseases that Cause Eye Conditions
A lot of us take our vision for granted. Even if we wear glasses or contacts, we may think we don’t need to get routine comprehensive professional eye exams because we’re okay with how our prescription is working for us. The problem with this belief is you may have an eye condition you are unaware of that can only be diagnosed by having an eye exam. You may regret your negligence one day if you don’t start taking proactive steps in caring for your vision today. Several diseases can cause eye conditions that build up over time. And if you’re not taking preventative action, some of these can result in blindness. Here are only five eye conditions that you may have to deal with if you’re not getting a regular eye exam.
1. Floaters
The anatomy of an eye is complex and what seems like a small issue could be an indication of something serious that requires immediate attention. Floaters fall under this category. Floaters are specks or tiny spots that float across your field of vision. Although considered normal, they may signal a serious eye condition, such as retinal detachment. This condition is the result of your retina pulling away from the tissue surrounding it. When this occurs, you could have a permanent loss of vision if it’s not treated immediately. A comprehensive eye exam will point out any retinal issues you may have that have gone unnoticed.
2. Uveitis
Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layers of the eye, the uvea, which contain arteries and veins that feed essential structures in your eyes. There are many causes of uveitis, including trauma or injury to the eye, infections, and inflammatory diseases. The symptoms of this condition are pain, redness, and blurred vision. These conditions can come on suddenly and worsen quickly. Therefore, it’s vital you get to your optometrist as soon as possible so they can provide treatment and prevent vision loss.
3. Dry Eye Disease
Although it is common to have dry eyes occasionally, chronic dry eyes can be indicative of dry eye disease. This is a condition in which your eyes cannot make good quality tears. Symptoms include a sense of something being in your eye or burning. Continued extreme dryness can lead to some vision loss. As with Uveitis, a comprehensive eye exam and discussion with your optometrist can determine your condition and offer appropriate treatment.
4. Glaucoma
Your eyes naturally have some pressure inside them. When the pressure builds to high levels, you run the risk of damaging your optic nerve. The name for a group of diseases that cause this condition is glaucoma. Unfortunately, most people who suffer from a common form of glaucoma, called angle glaucoma, do not have symptoms or pain. Your optometrist has special tools that can detect this condition, so it’s important that you’re keeping your yearly appointment with them. If they find that you have glaucoma, they can provide the proper treatment.
5. Keratoconus
Another common condition that goes unnoticed is keratoconus, which is a progressive disease. This disorder is the result of your cornea being thinner than normal and will bulge as it continues to thin over time. Keratoconus can cause distorted vision and is irreversible. However, there are treatments if it’s caught in time. Symptoms may include blurred vision, sensitivity to glares or light, nearsightedness and astigmatism. If you suffer from any of these signs, it is recommended you discuss them with a keratoconus specialist for further examination and treatments.
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Maintaining good eye health throughout your life is essential to a comfortable lifestyle. Routine comprehensive eye exams will help reveal disease and other issues before they become devastating. Don’t take your vision for granted. Set up an eye appointment today.
