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There are a number of serious eye conditions, some that can even lead to blindness. And,
if you have a family history of eye disease, you’ll have a higher risk of developing
vision problems. You may also have other risk factors like previous eye injury, premature
birth, diseases that affect the whole body, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart
disease, or AIDS. Let’s talk about the signs and symptoms of some more serious conditions.
You can pause now or rewind if you want to note down any experiences that sound familiar
so you can tell your doctor.
Glaucoma happens when the pressure of the fluid inside your eyes damages the fibers
in your optic nerve, and causes vision loss. If left untreated, you can lose your eyesight
altogether. Cataract means a clouding of all or part of
the normally clear lens within your eye, which results in blurred or distorted vision.
Conjunctivis, or Pink Eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the thin, transparent
layer that lines the inner eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. It’s usually
caused by a virus, and will resolve without any treatment. But, sometimes pink eye is
caused by a bacterial infection and will require antibiotics.
Eye Floaters may look like small dots or lines moving through your field of vision. They’re
actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous fluid in the eye. They may be
a sign of retinal detachment. Macular degeneration results from changes
to the macula portion of the retina. The macula is responsible for clear, sharp vision. This
condition can cause a blind spot in the middle of your sight line.
Retinal tears and detachment affect the thin layer of blood vessels that supplies oxygen
and nutrients to your retina. Initial symptoms are eye floaters. This condition must be treated
immediately; if it isn’t, it can lead to permanent vision loss.
Early detection is key to fixing problems with your sight. Don’t take your eyes for
granted. Get them checked regularly, and tell your doctor if you notice anything unusual.
Here’s a guide to give you a better idea of how often we should schedule our eye exams.
Adults should have at least one test between ages 20 and 29 and at least two between ages
30 and 39 Then, vision tests every two to four years
between ages 40 and 65 and, every one to two years after age 65.
But, if you’re experiencing any vision problems, it’s a good idea to get checked more often.
Know your family’s medical history Protect your eyes with sunglasses that absorb
100 percent of damaging ultra violet rays, and
Stay away from cigarettes which contain chemicals that can damage the eyes.
And eat a healthy diet
If you’re having trouble seeing the way you once did—and even if you’re not—consider
the warning signs and risk factors we’ve covered in this segment. While headaches and
tired eyes may be normal, they could also be the sign of something more serious. Don’t
wait to talk to your doctor, or opthamalgist if you think something is wrong.
Thank you for being a part of HealthiNation. Tune into our other segments, and get talking
about your health.