There are many issues that can occur with our eyes, especially as we grow older. Some eye conditions are easily treated and others need further investigation and more help to prevent sight loss. In Durham an eye care center can help you by testing your eyes, eye sight and internal function to determine the health of your eyes. Most eye tests consist of a series of performance testing procedures using auto tonometry, auto-refraction, and dilation, as well as standard sight tests such as reading letters from the huge board that we all recognize.
So, what kinds of eye conditions are there? Some you may have heard of and others will be new, but Glaucoma is a commonly known eye condition to watch for.
Glaucoma is a condition that attacks the optic nerve within the eye. Early signs of glaucoma are not always easily detected, as it tends to affect the peripheral vision first. Untreated, it can lead to tunnel vision, spotty vision and blindness. If caught early enough, however, glaucoma can be treated, if not cured, by medication and regular check-ups.
Myopia, better known as near-sightedness is a common condition that is usually treated with the use of eye glasses. The condition is brought about when the focal point at the back of the eye is shorter than that of a normal, healthy eye. People who are near sighted usually have trouble seeing things at a distance, but the condition is not technically degenerative, but simply that the nearsightedness can get worse over time.
Cataracts are formed over many years and they tend to show more as we age. The typical signs of a cataract are blurred vision caused by a film that grows over the lens of the eye. Cataracts can also form when the eyes experience too much exposure to ultra-violet light. Keeping your eyes protected from this can prevent the growth of cataracts, but, once formed, they can be surgically removed by your optometrist.
Macular degeneration is a condition of the eye that happens as we get older. The cells of the eyes inside the central retina area start to break down. Signs of macular degeneration are usually a reduction in the sharpness of your vision. The disease is generally age related but if you are in the high risk factor bracket you can contract the disease at any age. Fifty and over is usually when the disease tends to hit, however and to reduce your risks you can protect your eyes from ultra-violet rays, and make sure your eyes get the right nutrients, either through diet or supplements. Protecting your eyes from any of the above illnesses can make your eye sight last longer and decrease your chances of going blind.
Glaucoma is a commonly known eye condition to watch for, visit Optometrists & Eye Doctors for more information
