There are many types of eye diseases, all of which can cause symptoms that affect vision.
Despite available treatments, restoring lost eyesight is not usually possible.
Cataracts
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Cataractscause cloudiness of the eye’s lens and become more common with age.
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Glaucoma
Glaucomacauses damage to the optic nerve.
The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain.
Glaucoma often has no symptoms until you start to notice a loss of visionoften peripheral or side vision.
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The effectiveness of glaucoma treatments will vary by person.
Headaches can also be a symptom of refractive error.
Aging can also contribute to certain refractive errors, though many begin in childhood.
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Glasses, contact lenses, and sometimes surgery can help with refractive errors.
It occurs more commonly in older people.
In its early stages, macular degeneration typically does not have any symptoms.
Over time, you may lose your ability to see things right in front of you.
You also might see blurry or wavy areas in your vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathyis a disease that changes the blood vessels in the retina.
It affects people with diabetes.
If it becomes advanced enough, it can lead to vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy can also cause diabetic macular edema (DME).
It could also lead to neovascular glaucoma (a pop in of glaucoma) or retinal detachment.
Diabetic retinopathy may not have any symptoms until it becomes more advanced.
If symptoms occur, they may include difficulty seeing objects or reading.
Streaks or floating spots in your vision may occur in the later stages of diabetic retinopathy.
You may not have these symptoms all the time.
It’s essential to get regular eye exams, especially if you have diabetes.
Dry eye is very common, especially with the increased use of screens in recent times.
Presbyopia
Presbyopiais a change to the eyes after age 40 that affects your ability to see things close up.
This is why many people usereading glasses in their 40sand as they age.
Reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses can help with presbyopia.
These lenses allow you to see better at different distances, including up close.
How Eye Disease is Diagnosed
Eye doctorsoptometrists or ophthalmologistscan help diagnose and treat common eye diseases.
Often, these providers work together in the same office.
Both specialists can perform regular exams to detect eye diseases and prescribe contact lenses or glasses.
If your condition is more advanced or you need surgery, you may need to see an ophthalmologist.
Some eye diseases may have no symptoms at all.
Treatments include surgery, medications, and glasses or contact lenses.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are cataracts?
National Eye Institute.At a glance: cataracts.
National Eye Institute.Who needs cataract surgery?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma Research Foundation.Glaucoma risks.
National Eye Institute.At a glance: refractive errors.
National Eye Institute.Age-related macular degeneration.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.New treatments for age-related macular degeneration.
National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye?
Symptoms, causes, and treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is presbyopia?
Bright Focus Foundation.Healthy living and macular degeneration: tips to protect your sight.
