Eye Conditions

Most people will inevitably experience some form of eye problem during their lifetime. Many eye conditions are minor and can either be cared for at home with over-the-counter treatments or will correct themselves in time on their own. Others, however, require treatment by an eye specialist. Here is a quick look at some eye conditions that are common:

Common Eye Conditions

Cataracts

As people age, proteins can gradually build up on the lens, causing a brownish or yellowish and blocking effective light transfer to the retina. While more than 50 percent of Americans will either be living with a cataract or will have had corrective surgery by the time they reach 80 years of age, even adults in their forties and fifties can develop cataracts. Symptoms include cloudy vision, trouble driving at night, and struggling to find a vision prescription that works well. Typically, symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Diabetic retinopathy

Both type I and type II diabetics are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels damage retinal blood vessels, impacting the light-sensitive tissue that allows people to see fine details. This small vessel disease will develop in more than half of all people who have diabetes, and is the most prevalent cause of irreversible blindness among working-age Americans. Symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Floaters
• Problems reading
• Shadows or dark spaces in the vision field
• Color and depth perception issues

Drooping Eyelids

Ptosis, the medical term used to describe drooping eyelids, can result from a Bell’s Palsy event or as part of the normal aging process. There is a correlation between droopy eyelids and amblyopia (lazy eye), as well as neurological disorders that affect the eye muscles and nerves. One or both eyes may be affected.

Dry Eyes

Seasonal allergies, structural deficiencies in the eye, certain medications, and some autoimmune illnesses, such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, can cause dry eyes.

Glaucoma

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It often develops as excess fluid in the front part of the eye gradually accumulates because the eye cannot drain normal fluids effectively. This accumulation causes damage to the optic nerve. However, some may also experience a sudden fluid build-up as a result of the iris blocking the draining angle. This is known as Narrow Angle Glaucoma.

Macular Degeneration

The macula, which is part of the retina, is responsible for capturing the images we see and sending them to the brain via the optic nerve. When the macula begins to degrade, it may lead to the loss of the ability to focus central vision. As this disease progresses, sufferers may lose the ability to see fine details, read, operate machinery, or even recognize faces. There is no cure, but there are some exercises and lifestyle changes that may reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration, or, at the very least, slow the progression.

Risk factors include:

• Genetics
• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet ray transmissions

The primary focus of Piedmont Eye Associates is to help Spartanburg, South Carolina and surrounding area residents take care of their ophthalmic health. If you have questions or concerns about your vision or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.