There’s a global trend for holistic healthcare and people are paying more attention to their eyes, in terms of best practices with eye care. As with all the other organs in your body, the eyes are delicate and are at risk of disease or damage.
Here are some common eye conditions that you might encounter, along with potential causes and treatments.
- Lazy eye – When one eye develops at a slower rate, this results in that eye moving slower; its medical term is amblyopia – one eye will move around while the other is focused as it should. The condition is common in children and adults and normally affects only one eye. Treatments include corrective glasses or contact lenses or the use of an eye patch and if you notice your child seems to have a lazy eye, contact Microprism Optics, a leading Melbourne based optometric practice. If this condition is noted in a small infant, the sooner they receive treatment, the better.
- Night blindness – This is not so much a condition, but more of a symptom of nearsightedness, cataracts, keratoconus, and lack of Vitamin A; when you find it difficult to see while driving at night. This can be a condition from birth or it could be a degenerative problem, and the good news is, there is an effective treatment. Some elderly people won’t drive at night due to their failing eyesight and if you make an appointment with an eye specialist, they might be able to restore night vision.
- Colour blindness – Some people are color blind, which means they can’t distinguish between different colors; red and green are typical color pairs that people have an issue with.
- Uveitis – This is a condition of inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle section of the eye where most of the blood vessels are located. People with immune system issues are more likely to suffer from uveitis and this disease can result in eye tissue loss and even blindness. Here are a few reasons to include fresh fruit and vegetables in your daily diet.
- Presbyopia – When you can no longer read small print close up, which can happen to anyone at any age; your far vision is not affected and when people reach the age of 40 plus, it is common to experience focus issues at close range.
- Floaters – When you appear to see small black spots floating in front of your vision, this is not something to worry about, as it usually disappears as quickly as it arrives. Floaters could be a symptom of something more serious, such as retinal detachment. These spots can turn into flashes of light and if you notice this, you should see an eye doctor as soon as you can. This condition can be extremely annoying, as it impedes concentration, and seeking treatment is the best option.
- Retinal disorders – The retina is a thin line of tissue along the back of the eye and it picks up data in the form of images and sends them to the brain for processing. Damage to the retina can impact your vision; there are several types of retinal disorders, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. These are relatively rare conditions that do require prompt treatment when discovered.
- Cataracts – Cloudy sections that can develop on the eye lens, impairing the person’s vision, and cataracts develop slowly and may not be accompanied by pain or discomfort. These sometimes start small and do not develop further; if you are experiencing cloudy or blurred vision, search online for a local eye doctor and let the health professional carry out a thorough examination.
- Glaucoma – There is a degree of pressure within the eye, which is perfectly normal, yet high pressure can damage the optic nerve; glaucoma is the name for a range of diseases that cause unusually high pressure inside the eye. Causes include blocked blood vessels, eye injury, and eye inflammation, while treatment could be eye drops or eye surgery.
- Eye strain – A common issue for office workers and technicians who stare at digital screens for long periods. Focusing close up for long periods definitely strains the eyes; take short breaks every 10-15 minutes and put your gaze on something outside of the window. Long sessions on the computer can cause headaches, while the right level of lighting can also help.
If you experience any vision impairment or eye discomfort, don’t take any chances; book an examination with your local optometrist and also take up eye care best practices. Much like with every other aspect of health, you should have regular eye examinations by an eye doctor; some optometrists adopt a holistic approach to eye care, using cutting edge technology to improve vision.
