EYE DISEASES

In a number of ways, the human eye works much like a digital camera:

Light is focused primarily by the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye, which acts like a camera lens.

The iris of the eye functions like the diaphragm of a camera, controlling the amount of light reaching the back of the eye by automatically adjusting the size of the pupil (aperture).

The eye's crystalline lens is located directly behind the pupil and further focuses light. Through a process called accommodation, this lens helps the eye automatically focus on near and approaching objects, like an autofocus camera lens.

 Light focused by the cornea and crystalline lens (and limited by the iris and pupil) then reaches the retina — the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye. The retina acts like an electronic image sensor of a digital camera, converting optical images into electronic signals. The optic nerve then transmits these signals to the visual cortex — the part of the brain that controls our sense of sight.

COMMOM EYE Diseases

CATARACTS

A cataract is a cloudiness that occurs in the lens inside of the eye. The lens is made mostly of water and protein arranged to let light through. When the protein clumps, light is blocked and the lens appears cloudy. Cataracts are not a disease; we will all develop cataracts as we get older.

Symptoms

                A person with cataracts may notice faded colors, problems with light (such as halos, or headlights that seem too bright), or poor night vision.

Treatment

 Your eye doctor can detect the presence of cataracts during a thorough eye exam, including a microscopic examination of the inside of the eye. When vision is impaired to a point where it interferes with daily activities, surgery may be done, through which the cloudy substance of the lens is removed and replaced with an intra-ocular lens implant (IOL).

CONJUNCTIVITS  (PINK EYE)

Conjunctivitis, is a redness of the eye. It is often accompanied by a discharge and itching or a foreign body sensation.

Causes

Pink eye is most often a viral infection, but may also be caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. Viral and bacterial pink eye can be highly contagious.

To avoid spreading conjunctivitis, wash your hands often, ( picture don't touch the infected area with your hands, don't share wash cloths or towels, and avoid using makeup which may become contaminated. A child with pink eye should be kept from school for a few days. Sometimes your doctor will need to prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments to treat conjunctivitis.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY


Diabetic retinopathy is a condition associated with diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can damage tiny blood vessels in the eye, causing poor circulation. This can cause small leaks in the vessels, and swelling of the retinal nerve layer. Eventually new vessels, which are very fragile, may form to replace the damaged vessels. The new vessels can burst, creating a hemorrhage, and resulting in blurred vision or even blindness.

SYMPTOMS
 Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

Blurred or darkened vision

Sudden loss of vision

Risk Factors & Treatment

It is critical for all diabetic patients to have a thorough eye health examination at least every year. When diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed early, medical management, including laser treatment and other surgeries, can be more effective in preserving vision. In addition to diabetic retinopathy, diabetic patients also have a higher risk of developing cataracts at a younger age, and of having glaucoma. If you have diabetes, make sure you control your blood sugar level. This will reduce your risk of getting diabetic eye disease and other complications involving the heart, kidneys, and other organs.

DRY EYE SYNDROME

If your eyes are often itchy or dry, you may have dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome is caused by a lack of, or poor quality of, tears.

Tears lubricate the outer layers of the eye, called the cornea and conjunctiva. If the tears are not composed of a proper balance of mucous, water, and oil, the eye becomes irritated.

SYMPTOMS

Dry eye syndrome leads to a number of symptoms, including

itching,

irritation,

burning,

excessive tearing,

redness,

blurred vision that improves with blinking, and

discomfort after long periods of watching television, driving, using a computer, or reading.

Risk factors

There are many environmental factors that can contribute to dry eye syndrome. These include dry, hot, or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioned rooms, and cigarette smoke.

Contact lens wearers, people with drier skin, and the elderly are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome.

You may also be more at risk if you take certain medications, a vitamin-A deficiency, Parkinson's disease, or if you are a woman going through menopause.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is generally caused by too much fluid pressure inside the eye. Fluid in the eye helps to nourish and cleanse the inside of the eye by constantly flowing in and out.

When too much fluid is produced or the fluid is prevented from flowing out, the intraocular pressure increases and damages the optic nerve. This causes a gradual loss in peripheral vision.

Symptoms

Open angle glaucoma is often called the "Sneak Thief of Sight" because it has no symptoms until the disease is in advanced stages. With advanced glaucoma patients develop tunnel vision, where their peripheral field of vision decreases. Glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.

Risk factors & treatment

Heredity seems to be a risk factor. Also, you may be at greater risk if you are over 45, of African descent, very near-sighted, or diabetic. Finally, if you have used steroids or cortisone for a long period of time, or if you have suffered an eye injury in the past, you have a greater chance of developing glaucoma.

Treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser treatment, and other surgeries. The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure, thereby limiting damage to the optic nerve, and preserving vision.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a disease which affects a small area of the retina known as the macula. The macula is the central area of the retina that allows us to see the fine detail of whatever we look at directly. Macular degeneration occurs when the macula is damaged.

Causes & Symptoms

Causes

A number of uncontrollable factors contribute to macular degeneration, including age, sex, eye color, farsightedness, and race. Risk factors you can control include smoking, high blood pressure, exposure to harmful sunlight, and diet.

Symptoms

 It is difficult for patients to detect dry macular degeneration in its early stages. The most common symptom is blurred vision. Wet macular degeneration progresses much faster when it occurs. Symptoms include blurred vision and distortion or a dark spot in central vision. Both forms of macular degeneration can cause severe visual impairment.

Treatment

Cessation of smoking,

control of high blood pressure and

 nutritional therapy.

MAINTAINING GOOD EYE HEALTH

1.  Eat for Good Vision
Protecting your eyes starts with the food on your plate. Studies have shown that nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E may help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Regularly eating these foods can help lead to good eye health:

Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards

Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish

Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources

Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices

Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which makes you less likely to get obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults

Quit Smoking for Better Eyesight

Smoking makes you more likely to get cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration. If you've tried to quit smoking before and started smoking again, keep trying. Studies show that the more times you try to quit smoking, the more likely you are to succeed.  

Wear Sunglasses for Good Vision

The right kind of sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Too much UV exposure makes you more likely to get cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare when driving.

If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It's still a good idea to wear sunglasses for more protection.

Look Away From the Computer for Good Eye Health

Staring at a computer screen can cause:

Eyestrain

Blurry vision

Difficulty focusing at a distance

Dry eyes

Headaches

Neck, back, and shoulder pain

Protect your eye health by taking the following steps:

Make sure your glasses or contact lens prescription is up-to-date and adequate for computer use. 

Some people may need glasses to help with contrast, glare, and eye strain when using a computer.

Position your computer so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. This allows you to look slightly down at the screen.

Try to avoid glare on your computer from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.

Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.

If your eyes are dry, blink more.

Every 20 minutes, rest your eyes by looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds. At least every two hours, get up and take a 15-minute break

Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Everyone, even young children, should get their eyes examined regularly. It helps you protect your sight and make sure that you are seeing your best.

Eye exams can also find some eye diseases, such as glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It's important to find these diseases in their early stages, when they're easier to treat. Depending on your eye health needs, you can see either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for an eye exam. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. They can provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgery. Optometrists have had four years of specialized training after college. They provide general eye care and treat the most common eye diseases. They do not perform eye surgery.

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