What are Some Common Eye Diseases & Conditions?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that threatens the vision of many around the world, with 3 million of them being Americans.
Glaucoma occurs in various ways, but the most common is when your intraocular pressure (IOP) rises to an unstable point, damaging your optic nerve and leading to vision loss. Glaucoma is commonly diagnosed with tonometry, a process that measures IOP levels by gently flattening the surface of your eye. Glaucoma can also be diagnosed by observing your optic nerve.
For more information about glaucoma, please visit our Glaucoma page!
Aging can be tough as it is, but it can also increase your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 55, and it targets your macula. The macula is the part of your retina responsible for your central vision, the vision you need to read, drive, and recognize faces.
There are 2 common types of AMD you could develop:
- Dry AMD occurs when small, yellowish deposits of lipids, known as drusen, develop and slowly deteriorate the macula, leading to vision loss. Dry AMD is the most common form of the disease and is diagnosed by observing your macula during an eye exam.
- Wet AMD is far less common than dry AMD, but it’s responsible for 90% of AMD-related vision loss. This disease occurs when very delicate blood vessels form beneath your macula and retina. However, these vessels break and leak fluids into your macula, leading to permanent vision loss. Wet AMD is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that occurs as a complication of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy develops when raised blood-sugar levels damage the vessels behind your retina, causing them to bulge or leak fluids onto your retina, leading to vision loss.
Diabetic macular edema is another diabetic eye disease, and is often a complication of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic macular edema occurs when fluids from broken or damaged blood vessels swell the macula, leading to central vision loss.
Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes your eyes to become cloudy or milky, possibly affecting your vision. As you grow older, the clear crystalline lens of your eyes can become rigid and opaque, creating a cataract. Refractive errors associated with cataracts can generally be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. If symptoms are severe, you may need cataract surgery to achieve clear vision.
For more information, please visit our Cataracts page!
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an eye condition with various sources and can affect people of all ages. This condition can lead to discomfort, irritation, redness, and even stringy, mucusy discharge.
There are 3 common causes of conjunctivitis:
- Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when you have allergies to pollen, pet hair, and dust. You may manage this with allergy medications or eye drops. Please speak to our doctor before using any over-the-counter products.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when you contract a bacterial infection in the conjunctiva. It is highly contagious and may need antibiotics to treat effectively.
- Viral conjunctivitis is contagious but has no known cure other than letting it run its course. If your symptoms aren’t relaxing after a couple of days, please contact us for help!
