Total eye and vision care is a complex process for a complex system, but there are some problems that can become chronic or permanent if left untreated. Read on for a brief description of five of the most common vision and eye health complications.
CATARACTS
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s lens, which limits the amount light that is let in. Cataracts can effectively causes blindness, but can be successfully treated with a common surgery that is considered very safe. Cataracts are a very common problem in older populations.
FLOATERS
It can become easy or second nature to ignore the spots and specks that seem to float across your vision. While they are very common, changes or worsening of floaters can indicate eye disease. Make note of the floaters and any changes in your vision, making sure to report them to your eye health professional. If you leave floaters unchecked, you may be at risk of developing serious complications.
GLAUCOMA
Simply put, glaucoma is a build-up of fluid and pressure that does severe damage to the nerves within the eye, ultimately causing blindness. It has few early symptoms, so it is an extremely important reason for regular eye exams. Only an eye health professional can spot the warning signs of glaucoma, so do not discount the seriousness of regular check-ups.
REFRACTIVE ERRORS
Refractive errors are the singlemost most common issue in eye and vision health. Length, shape and other features of the eye can all cause issues with focusing correctly. These are most often addressed with corrective lenses or laser surgery. Failure to do so leads to inability to see or focus correctly– as well as headaches and other health issues.
DRY EYES
Another common issue, dry eyes occur when your tear ducts cannot produce enough moisture to keep your eyes comfortable and protected. Dry eyes are often a result of outside forces— using contact lenses, living in a dry climate– but they can also happen due to many physiological reasons.
These five issues are only the most common eye and vision health problems. There are many more– all of which are difficult to diagnose and all of which can result in serious complications, such as blindness. Concerned about you and your family’s eyes? Contact or visit the Vision Gallery today! You can consult our eye health professionals to determine the quality of your eye health and the correct course of action to treat or prevent any issues.