Eye Conditions Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

What are eye and vision problems?

Eye and vision problems are conditions that negatively affect the health of your eyes. They are often painless conditions that do not have precisely identifiable symptoms. However, many eye problem sufferers often report lessened quality of vision as a common symptom.

When people notice significant changes in their vision, they usually seek the help of optometrists or doctors.

Who is at risk of developing eye conditions?

Certain adult groups are more predisposed to getting eye problems. Such groups of people include:

• Persons with family histories of eye illnesses
  
  
• Elderly people over the age of 60
  
  
• People with learning disabilities
  
  
• Diabetes patients
  
  
• African-Caribbean people, as diabetes and glaucoma are prevalent in them
  
  
• South Asian people with prevalent diabetes in their communities

 

Children may also develop eye disorders. Sometimes, kids struggle to tell their parents or guardians about changes in their vision. Younger ones cannot communicate their symptoms and their onset as well. So, you should be vigilant and watch out for the following warning signs of eye problems in your child:

•  Excessive blinking and rubbing of the eyes
  
  
•  Eyes that turn either inwards or outwards
  
  
•  Sitting at a close distance from the computer or television
  
  
•  Examining objects by holding them very close to their faces

Such activities may indicate that your child has problems with their vision.

How concerned should you be about vision problems?

Eye problems and visual impairment are, indeed, worrying. But most people experience such conditions at least once in their lifetime. Going for regular eye tests alerts you to possible changes in your vision that may be part of a growing eye problem.

How common are eye and vision problems?

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, around 1.3 billion people worldwide suffer from eye problems. Most of these people are comprised of adults 50 years old and above.

However, while vision problems are shared globally, WHO declares that 80% of these visual impairment conditions are easily avoidable. This is because most vision problems stem from a person refusing to correct his already altered eyesight with the right glasses, contact lenses, or surgery, depending on the case.

What forms of eye and vision problems are there?

Here are the eye conditions commonly experienced by many people across the EU.

• Blepharitis

• Conjunctivitis

• Keratitis

• Eyelid problems

• Eye styes

• Dry eyes

How are eye conditions diagnosed?

Several tests may reveal the underlying causes of your eye symptoms. If you get any eye symptoms, It is essential to seek medical attention right away. If you get any eye symptoms, be it itchy eyelids or a dramatic change in your vision and perception.

Most physicians start diagnosis with an eye examination or tests. Some cases may require blood tests to check for infection. Complicated eye cases may require CT scans or MRIs. However, most mild cases are diagnosed simply through eye tests and blood checks.

How are eye conditions treated?

It all depends on the underlying causes of your particular eye problem. Doctors target the causes and provide prescriptions, medications, glasses, contact lenses, and even dietary changes to help ease the eye problem immediately.

Severe cases of eye conditions may require surgery. This is to replace or repair damaged nerves or tissues in the eyes. Cataract is a common condition that often necessitates surgery.

What is the outlook for people with eye conditions?

The majority of eye problems are treatable. Again, as the WHO reiterates, 80% of eye problems stem from uncorrected vision. This means a simple pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses may be enough to restore impaired vision.