Common Eye Problems. A comprehensive guide.

Common eye problems. A comprehensive guide to common eye and vision problems.Information on causes, signs, symptoms and treatment of common eye conditions.

Eyes are the organs in human body that detect light and convert them to electromagnetic impulses forming imagine on our cornea and enabling us to see. Although we tend to take them for granted, the temporary eye problems we face in everyday life make us more sensitive towards the vital function they play. Fortunately, a large number of these eye problems are momentary and will heal on their own without any medication or treatment. However, a doctor should be consulted for any problem that have complications or persist for longer than a few days. Following are some of the most common eye problems;

• Eye Twitching (or Blepharospasm) – Despite being painless, eye twitching, a blinking disorder, can be very irritating and is a very common eye problem. Eye twitching is more often than not caused by stress, high caffeine levels, pink eye, fatigue, nervous system disorders, panic disorder, and/or staring at the television or computer for an extended period of time. Eye twitching may be experienced in both eyes, one of the eyes or under the eyes. Experts recommend resting and reducing causes of stress for treating mild eye twitching and medication, butox and surgery for severe eye twitching. • Itchy (and Watery) Eyes – Itchy and watery eyes are usually caused by allergies or two types of allergic conjunctivitis; a). seasonal allergic conjunctivitis that causes itchy and watery eyes because of exposure to allergens (such as grass, weed, pollen, and certain types of trees) in spring or autumn, b). perennial allergic conjunctivitis that causes itchy and watery eyes all year long because of exposure to household allergens (such as mold, dust, pet dander and pet hair). Experts recommend taking over the counter oral antihistamines or over the counter antihistamines and decongestants in them or getting similar medication prescribed by an eye specialist for this common eye problem.

• Eye Stye – An eye stye (also called hordeolum) is an infection because of blockage in the hair follicle of an eyelash that results in a small bump on the outside or inside the eye. Most of the time, an eye stye matures and heals in less than a week. Eye sties are caused by staphylococcal bacteria found in the nasal cavity that infects the glands causing it to swell and in some cases fill with pus. Experts recommend using a warm compress, gentle massage, antibiotics, ointments, eye drops and pills for treating this common eye problem if they are not healed within four to five days.

• Astigmatism – Astigmatism, another common eye problem, refers to a condition of the eyes in which patients find it hard to focus and objects (both near and far) appear blurred. In most cases, squinting or titling the head one way or another seems to help improve the ability to focus. Astigmatism is caused by a de-shaped cornea (oblong instead of spherical) and results in two curves, a flat one and a steep one. Consequently, light is focused at two points instead of one, blurring your vision. Unless it is extreme, astigmatism can be addressed with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Moreover, contrary to popular belief soft contact lenses are also available in the market for astigmatism patients.

• Conjunctivitis - Conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye) is a condition in which the conjunctiva, the mucas membrane lining the inside of your eye, experiences inflammation or swelling. Conjunctivitis is most common eye problem in school going children and is believed to be highly contagious. There are several types of conjunctivitis that is caused by various chemicals, viruses, bacteria, allergens, and/or foreign body in the eye. Some of the most common symptoms are; redness, itchiness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing and discharge from the eyes that form a crust. Experts recommend taking antibiotic eye ointments or eye drops for treating conjunctivitis.

• Dry Eye Syndrome – In dry eye syndrome (also referred to as keratoconjunctivitis sicca), a common eye problem, your eyes feel dry and scratchy because of the inability of your tear ducts to produce the right quality and/or quantity of tears. Since it is attributed to lack of moisture in the eye, it should be treated properly. In case it is not treated effectively, dry eye syndrome is known to weaken vision and cause various types of eye infections. It is caused by hormonal changes, various medicines, continued use of contact lenses, chemical burns in the eye and various environmental factors. The most effective treatment options for dry eye includes using eye drops or having silicon plugs inserted in the tear ducts to hold moisture in the eye by preventing tears from falling out.

• Cataracts – Cataracts, the most common eye problem, cause of blindness in people older than fifty five years of age, refers to a condition in which the eye’s lens in clouded or blurred. The lens of human eye is contained in a lens capsule in which dead cells accumulate over time clouding it (partially or completely) disrupting the eyes ability to see clearly. Cataract is generally painless and is accompanied by the following symptoms; blurred vision, sensitivity to light, deteriorating night vision, double vision, rapid changes in eye sight prescription and blurred vision. In some cases, patients suffering from cataracts don’t need treatment as they remain small and negligible. In more severe cases, doctors recommend undergoing cataracts surgery that is the only effective way or restoring vision partially or completely.

• Retina Detachment – Cameras are manufactured on the principle of the retina that captures light and turns them into electronic impulses that are communicated to the brain that converts them into images allowing us to process them. Retina lies on top of the choroid, the tissue that provides nourishment to it. Retina detachment, a common eye problem, refers to a phenomenon in which it separates from the choroids. It is more common in patients suffering from myopia and is usually caused by trauma. Some of the treatment options for retina detachment are pneumatic retinopexy, cryotherapy and/or laser therapy. For all eye conditions and problems always consult a qualified eye care practitioner or medical eye specialist.

Coloured Contact Lenses Ocular problems associated with coloured contact lenses.

Topics:

Acanthamoeba keratitis Corneal infection and inflammatory disease.

Adies tonic pupil condition Explanation of this common eye pupil condition.

Coloboma The different types of ocular colobomas

Corneal ulcers ulceration of the clear tissue at the front of the eye.

Can Flu affect Eyesight? How can the flu virus effect your vision.

Amblyopia Otherwise known as a lazy eye

Bags under eyes Causes and how to remove under eye bags.

Bells Palsy details of this nerve palsy and how the eye and ocular regions are affected.

Blepharitis A common eye problem causing inflammation of the eyelid margins.

Bloodshot Eyes What makes your eye bloodshot.

Cataracts Causes and treatment of ocular lens cataracts.

Childrens Vision and Computers What you should know and what to do to help your child's vision whilst they use a computer.

Color Blindness the different types and causes of color vision deficiency.

Computer Eye Strain Do you suffer with it? Find out how to alleviate eye strain associated with computer use.





More Common Eye Problems

Conjunctivitis Inflammation of the inner eyelid tissue.

Corneal Haze Hazy vision througgh the normally clear cornea.

Dark Circles under eyes How to eliminate dark areas around your eyes.

Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic related eye disease.

Diplopiaotherwise known as double vision.

A dry eye A common eye condition particularly in the elderly and as a by product of laser eye surgery

Drusen Deposits on the retina

Ectropion Outward turning eyelid.

Eye AllergiesAllergic eye reactions and conditions

Eye Floaters Floaters in the eyes, symptoms and causes and how to avoid.

Eye Infection General overview of eye infections.

Eye Pain A look at causes of eye pain.

Eye Strain Its causes and relief of eye strain techniques.

An eye stroke A stroke or blood vessel occlusion in the eye.

Eye Twitching Twitching of the eyelid and surrounding tissue.

GlaucomaFluid pressure build up inside the eye causing permanent damage.

IritisInflammation of the iris, colored part of the eye.

KeratitisInflammation of the corneal tissue, the smooth clear window at front of the eye.

Keratoconus Disease which causes conical shaping of cornea.

Lazy Eye Also known as amblyopia and often corrected by use of an eye patch.

Macular degeneration A very common ageing eye disease.

A macular hole hole in the light sensitive macular area of the retina.

Nystagmus Involuntary eye movements.

Ocular Migraine Migraines which cause visual problems, not always associated with headaches.

Ocular Rosacea Acne related eye condition

Orbital Cellulitis A serious eye infection

Pink Eye Causes and treatment of pink eye syndrome.

Poor Night Vision Causes of reduced vision during low lighting conditions and how to treat it.

Ptosis otherwise known as a drooping eyelid.

Puffy Eyes How to remove that dreaded puffy eye look.

Red Eyes What to do about red inflammed eyes.

Refractive ErrorsCommon vision problems such as short and long sight etc.

Retinal Detachment A detachment of the retinal tissue at the back of the eye.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Inherited pigmentary eye disease which causes reduced vision.

Sjogrens SyndromeWhat it is and how the eyes are affected by Sjorgens syndrome.

StarburstsA complication of lasik surgery, light starbursts.

Stigmatism A refractive eye condition corrected by cylindrical lenses or laser eey surgery.

Strabismus otherwise known as a squint or turn in the eye.

Stye Causes and treatment of styes, painful eye gland infection.

Swollen eyelid How a swollen eyelid can occur and how to treat effectively.

Uveitis Inflammation ogf the uveal tissue of the eye.

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