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Adults may be affected with many different types of eye problems. The more common ophthalmic problems are cataracts, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
It is important to be aware of these conditions and to seek treatment early as timely intervention and preventive measures may help prevent loss of sight and the associated negative impact on quality of life that the visual impairment brings.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Although it is common to have cataracts as we age, it is also more often seen in people who smoke, those who do not protect their eyes from the sun, diabetics and those with family history of cataracts. Trauma to the eyes and head may also cause cataracts.
Symptoms:
As the cataract worsens it severely affects the vision and surgery would be necessary to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new one. Most cataract surgeries are daycare procedures performed under local anaesthesia. With modern techniques, the end results are usually excellent.
Tears function to lubricate our eyes and stops the surface from drying. Dry eyes occur if tears are not produced in the correct amounts or if it does not stay on the surface of the eye long enough. Dryness can range from mild afflictions to sometimes severe dryness that can damage the surface of the eyeball. Dry eye can affect anyone of any age but is more common as we get older. Dry eye is common in postmenopausal women and in people with systemic conditions such as certain types of arthritis.
Symptoms:
There is no cure for dry eyes, but its symptoms can be alleviated. Treatment include artificial tears, punctal plugs, warm compresses and newer therapies such as thermal pulsations and intense-pulsed light therapy.
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a condition affecting older people, and it involves the loss of the person’s central field of vision. Globally, ARMD ranks third as a cause of blindness after cataract and glaucoma. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing ARMD. Family history, high blood pressure and smoking are other risk factors.
Symptoms:
People with macular degenerations can be treated with supplements, photodynamic therapy and anti-angiogenic drug injections.
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that causes damage to the optic nerve with associated visual field loss. An elevated intraocular pressure is one of the primary risk factors for glaucoma. Advanced glaucoma leads to severe vision impairment and even blindness. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history of glaucoma, chronic usage of steroid medications, diabetes, hypertension and short-sightedness.
Symptoms:
Although there are different types of medication that are used in the treatment of glaucoma, surgery maybe indicated in the cases which deteriorate despite optimal medical treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent worsening of the condition.
Diabetic retinopathy is a specific complication of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic retinopathy develops with time and is associated with poor control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids. It causes abnormal changes in the retinal blood vessels causing leakages, swelling of the retina and bleeding.
Symptoms:
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy consists of strict control of blood sugars, laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) injections and surgery.
Stopping by and getting your eyes checked in eye screening booths in malls and events can also help to detect eye problems early.
This article first appeared in Natural Health.
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