4 Common Eye Diseases And Options For Treating Them

Written By Emma Sturgis / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

The eye is an essential sensory organ to human beings. Among other senses, vision is arguably the most important sense to humans. Vision is vital in mobility, object recognition, and the general wellbeing of humans. Diseases that affect the eye can hamper clear vision in human beings. Discussed below are common eye diseases and their treatment options.

Refractive Disorders

These are disorders that cause blurred vision with respect to where an object is. These include diseases like myopia, where faraway objects appear blurry, and hyperopia, where closer objects appear blurry. The use of eyeglasses and contact lenses is a common practice doctors recommend to manage refractive disorders. Surgery is also a treatment option, albeit in isolated cases.

Macular Degeneration

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a condition that commonly affects the elderly. This condition affects a person's sharpness and central vision, making it harder for them to see tiny and detailed objects.

There are two types of AMD, namely early AMD and late AMD. Doctors recommend lifestyle changes for patients with AMD. Patients are advised to quit smoking, exercise regularly, and eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Such measures are meant to slow the development of AMD.

Another form of late AMD known as neovascular AMD is treated by administering anti-VEGF injections into the eyes. Neovascular AMD is also treated with Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses laser beam technology.

Cataract

Cataract manifests itself as a whitish area on the lens. It causes blurred vision in the eyes and poor vision at night. Cataract has been attributed to 50 percent of the global blindness cases. Treatment involves the surgical removal of the affected lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a range of conditions that affect the optic nerves within the eye. Persistent high-pressure levels in the eyes can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness in the long run. Glaucoma is a hereditary condition but secondary factors like diabetes and injury are also known causes.

Doctors can administer ocular steroid treatment to treat glaucoma. Ocular steroid treatment entails the use of corticosteroid eye drops to relieve pain and inflammation within the eye.

It is paramount to be conversant with other eye diseases and be on the lookout for symptoms such as eye redness, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and eye pain. If you notice the occurrence of such symptoms, consult a board-certified eye specialist for help.

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Written By:

Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, Mass. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.