Eye Diseases

Cataracts, glaucoma, and eye melanoma or eye cancer are probably some of the most commonly known diseases of the eye. All of these diseases have various causes, signs, and symptoms that should be observed to determine your level of eye health. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your physician to treat any diseases early on.

Cataracts

• Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. As you age, the protein fibers that keep the lens of the eye clear start to break down. In some cases, these fibers bunch together and become cataracts. Though cataracts do not generally cause any pain, they can make it difficult to see at night or distinguish someone's face. Symptoms of cataracts include faded and yellowish colors, sensitivity to light and glare, and double vision in one of the eyes. The only treatment for cataracts is removing the affected lens and replacing it with a lens implant.

Color Blindness

• Most color-blind people can't distinguish between shades of red and green but in the most extreme cases, some can only see in shades of gray. Color blindness is most commonly inherited with men more likely to be color-blind than women. Some medications, like those used to treat high-blood pressure and diseases like glaucoma can also cause color blindness. There is no treatment for color blindness; if possible, a doctor will treat the disease that caused that disorder.

Eye Melanoma

• The exact cause of eye melanoma is unknown, though it is thought to be related to genetic abnormalities in the DNA. Eye melanoma, or ocular melanoma, appears when the melanin-producing cells in the eye become abnormal. Some symptoms of eye melanoma are loss of peripheral vision, dark spots, squiggles or spots in your vision, and blurred vision. Due to the rarity of eye melanomas, it's recommended to seek out a specialist for treatment; this can range from surgery to remove the melanoma from the eye to high-energy radiation therapy.

Glaucoma

• Glaucoma is a name for a group of conditions that cause diminished sight and damage to the optical nerve. Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure within the eye due to a buildup of fluid. The two types of glaucoma, primary-open angle and acute-angle-closure glaucoma, have completely different symptoms. Symptoms for open-angle glaucoma are tunnel vision and gradual loss of peripheral vision. Symptoms for acute-angle glaucoma are pain in the eye, blurred vision, and nausea. Eye drops that inhibit the production of aqueous humor, the fluid that causes the buildup, are the first line of treatment for glaucoma. Oral medication and surgery are also options in severe cases.

Retinal Detachment

• Retinal detachment occurs when the retinal is pulled away from the blood vessels that provide the retina with nutrients and oxygen. Retinal detachment is caused by either an inflammatory disorder like retinitis, trauma to the head or eye, or advanced diabetes. Symptoms are sudden flashes of light, suddenly blurry vision, and the appearance of debris or spots in your eyesight. The only effective treatment for a retinal detachment is surgery to repair the tear or hole.