Top 15 Common Eye Disorders

Introduction

The eyes are the most precious organs that help us perceive the beautiful world. We often take eye health for granted and succumb to several eye diseases. Regular eye health checkups can lead to early diagnosis. 

An ophthalmologist specialising in eye and vision care can treat common eye diseases. Correcting or slowing most eye conditions can only be possible if we take the treatment at the right time. The eye hospitals in Visakhapatnam provide the best treatment for eyes, ensuring complete care.

The Top 15 Common Eye Disorders

As age increases, it is natural that the vision decreases and becomes more prone to certain eye conditions. Age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are common causes of vision loss. 

Below listed are the top 15 common eye disorders; read on to find out more:

1. Refractive Errors:

• Refractive errors are:

a. Myopia (Nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects.

b. Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Difficulty seeing close-up objects.

c. Astigmatism: Irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, causing blurred vision.

d. Presbyopia:  Loss of the ability to focus up close due to reduced lens flexibility, most common in people over 40 years.

• Using eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery in some cases can correct it.

2. Glaucoma: 

• It is the damage to the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure, potentially leading to vision loss if untreated.
• There are two major categories of glaucoma:

1. Open-angle glaucoma:  A chronic condition that progresses slowly over a long period, and the person is unaware of vision loss.
2. Closed-angle glaucoma: It appears suddenly and is painful, so people get it checked and have a higher chance of treatment before permanent damage occurs.

3.  Cataract:

• Cataract is the clouding of the lens with blurred or dimmed vision.
• It makes vision blurry, hazy or less colourful and causes difficulty reading or doing other everyday activities.
• It develops in older people, sometimes in younger people, and rare cases, babies are born with a cataract (congenital cataract).
• If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss.

4.   Conjunctivitis:

• Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a condition causing inflammation of the conjunctiva (white part), causing redness, itching and discharge.
• It is highly contagious, so treat it as soon as possible.
• It is classified as:

1. Bacterial conjunctivitis:  Bacterial infection of the eye with yellow or green discharge causing the eyelids to stick together.
2. Viral conjunctivitis: It is caused by viral infection, and the discharge from the eye is mostly clear. 
3. Allergic conjunctivitis: Caused due to pollen, pet fur, pool water with chlorine, air pollution or makeup allergies. Sometimes, hay fever symptoms like an itchy nose and sneezing may occur.

• Mild cases get better on their own after 7 to 10 days. However, consult a doctor to relieve the symptoms and uneasiness associated with it.

5.  Diabetic Retinopathy:

• It is the progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina and the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye due to diabetes, causing vision impairment and blindness. 
• It can be managed by controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid abnormalities. Also, staying physically active, eating healthy and taking medicine is crucial in its mitigation.
• People with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
• Vision loss is irreversible  in diabetic retinopathy severe stage 

6.    Amblyopia:

• It is the reduced vision in one eye as the eye and brain are not working together correctly.
• Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of vision impairment in children.
• The eye looks normal, but one stronger eye prominently is used to see. 
• All kids should get a vision screening at least once between ages 3 and 5, as kids who grow up without treatment may have lifelong vision problems.
• It can be back to normal if it identified earlier and proper treatment has to done. 

7.   Blepharitis:

• It is the inflammation of the eyelids, leading to irritation, redness and crusting around the eyelashes.
• It is caused by too much bacteria on the eyelids, at the base of eyelashes and oil glands in eyelids get clogged or irritated.
• The eye hospitals in Visakhapatnam have eminent doctors who may prescribe antibiotic eye drops, ointments, or pills after checking the cause of anterior or posterior blepharitis or steroid eye drops to control redness, swelling, and irritation.

8.   Strabismus:

• It is the misalignment of the eyes, causing issues with depth perception and eye coordination causing the eyes to cross in (esotropia) or turn out (exotropia).
• This condition is present at or shortly after birth (congenital strabismus).
• Two eyes fail to focus on an image, there is reduced or absent depth perception and the brain ignores the input from one eye, causing permanent vision loss in that eye.

9.   Corneal Abrasion:

• Corneal abrasion is caused when dirt or dust particles are trapped in the eye and cause a scratch when we rub it.
• It causes pain in the eye and a burning or stinging sensation, redness of the eyes, teary eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision etc.
• Deeper scratches or injuries cause corneal scarring and vision problems. 

10.  Entropion:

• It is a condition in which the eyelid turns inward and eyelashes and skin rub against the eye surface.
• Entropion is more common in older adults and generally affects only the lower eyelid.
• The friction of eyelashes and outer eyelids against the surface of the eye causes irritation or pain, sensitivity to wind, crusty eyelid, mucus buildup, feeling of something getting into eyes, watery eyes etc.

11.   Dry Eye Syndrome:

• Dry eye syndrome is the insufficient production of tears or poor quality of tears, causing discomfort to eyes without lubrication and vision problems.
• Artificial tears or tear duct plugs to prevent tear drainage usually relieve the symptoms.
• It is one of the common eye diseases and is rampant due to the digital strain. A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help an ophthalmologist to examine the eye.

12.   Corneal ulcer:

• A corneal ulcer is a sight-threatening condition involving infection or disruption of the corneal surface- a clear, front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.
• Red and irritated painful eyes, foreign body sensations, blurred vision, photophobia, and discharge are some of its symptoms.
• A thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist is essential for diagnosis to lessen the chance of long-term damage to vision.

13.   Uveitis:

• It is the inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, causing pain, redness, and vision disturbances.
• It causes redness, pain, floaters, sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
• People with immune system conditions like AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, or ulcerative colitis may be more likely to have uveitis.

14.   Scleritis:

• Scleritis is a rare but serious inflammatory condition that affects the sclera, the white outer coating of the eye.
• It is common for people with scleritis to have rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disease.
• Anterior scleritis occurs at the front and posterior uveitis at the back of the eye.
• Pain, tenderness of the eye, blurred vision, and extreme sensitivity to light are its symptoms.

15.   ARMD ( Age-related macular degeneration )

• the most common cause of blindness prevalent in developed countries, particularly in people older than 60 years.
• Age related changes which are going to occur back of the eyes, i.e : leaking of blood vessels in the retina leading to vision.
• So its necessary to have any regular eye examination yearly to get rid of all these changes in retina.  

Conclusion

Common eye disorders can be prevented or corrected with proper treatment and care. Being aware of the diseases and consulting the eminent ophthalmologist in the best eye hospitals in Vizag ensures complete eye care without worry.

Book your appointment with the best doctors here.