We wrote this blog to provide an informed perspective of the most common eye disorders that some individuals are faced with in their day-to-day life. In future blogs, we will dive deep into the specific details regarding these disorders.
Cataracts
You can develop cataracts at any age, but it is more common as you get older. They develop when protein builds in the lens of your eye and, eventually, it turns everything into a blur. This disorder is not something that develops overnight; it is a disease that progressively forms over time. Some symptoms include changes in the way you see color, issues with glare during the day, double vision, and problems with night driving.
Macular Degeneration
The name says it all. Macular degeneration occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, starts to deteriorate. This disease is most common in people over 60 and can lead to irreversible vision loss. The number one sign of the disorder is the distortion of straight lines, and once this symptom starts, it may turn into the dramatic loss of vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Even though this disease only affects individuals with diabetes, it can be detrimental to their livelihood. It is, however, very preventable. When people with diabetes experience long periods of high blood sugar, fluid enters through the lens of the eye. Eventually, this will lead to blurred vision and changes to the contour of the lens. From there, individuals will start to see floaters, have dark or empty spots in the center of their vision, and experience blurred vision.
Glaucoma
Most individuals have no early symptoms or pain of glaucoma. It is often associated with the buildup of pressure inside the eye and it has the ability to damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to your brain. The root cause of the pressure stems from a channel in which fluid, called aqueous humor, causes a blockage. Glaucoma is normally hereditary, but it can also be acquired from chemical injuries and blunt trauma to your eyes.
Refractive Errors
Refracted is just a fancy word for the bending of light. When light passes through the cornea and lens, it is focused on the retina. This error occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from directly focusing on the retina. From this error, four types of disorders could potentially evolve and cause your vision to be temporarily affected. Resolutions to these disorders include glasses, contacts, and laser eye surgery.