Common Eye Problems

Many people suffer from common ocular problems such as dry eye, color blindness, nearsightedness, floaters, Styes, pink eye, and farsightedness. Although these problems are not vision-threatening, they can be a nuisance to those who suffer from them. Generally, most optometrists and ophthalmologists can treat the symptoms with eye glasses, contacts or simple surgical procedures, although some issues, like color blindness cannot be corrected.

Dry Eye

• Dry eye is characterized as exactly as it sounds: severe dry eyes. If you suffer from this, it is necessary to make a trip to your ophthalmologist as soon as possible as this can be a sign of a more serious problem such as an autoimmune disorder. Dry eyes can be a hallmark symptom of disorders such as Sjogren's or lupus, so it is important to rule those out as the cause. Artificial tears can be used for moderate cases, although it is not recommended in severe cases (the drops are potentially addictive and over time, it will take more to produce the same effect). Severe dry eye can be treated with plugs that are inserted into the eye with a small surgical procedure that can be done in the office.

Nearsightedness

• Nearsightedness, or myopia, occurs when the eyeball is longer than normal, causing the sufferer to not see objects far away as clearly as those close up. People can be born with this condition or it may appear gradually over time as the person ages. This can be permanently corrected with laser eye surgery and corrected temporarily with eyeglasses and contacts.

Farsightedness

• Farsightedness, or being able to see objects at a distance more clearly, occurs when objects far away come into focus when the eye is relaxed. Although it mostly occurs with age, it can happen to people at any stage of life. Uncorrected farsightedness can lead to headaches and eyestrain. The problem can be corrected with contact lenses or eyeglasses.

Color Blindness

• Much more common in men, this inherited disorder makes it difficult for the sufferer to distinguish between colors. Most people who are color blind can, in fact, make out colors but often mix up their hues (they are mostly unable to distinguish between blue and yellow or green and red). While most cases of color blindness are not serious, it can be a sign of diseases such as Parkinson's (in which the sufferer begins to develop "the shakes" in her limbs) or Kallman's (a pituitary gland disorder which causes the sufferer to not develop proper sexual organs).

"Lazy Eye"

• "Lazy eye," or amblyopia, occurs most often because of a young child's (under 5) lack of visual stimulation during this critical period of development. The eye will appear normal in all but the way it focuses. Most people who have this condition have difficulty seeing out of the affected eye. If your child develops symptoms of "lazy eye" see a doctor as soon as possible. It is possible to correct some cases if they are treated before age 6, but after the eye fully develops, correction is no longer possible.

Styes

• A stye is a bacterial infection that look like small bumps on the eyelids. Although they are relatively harmless, they may lead to further infection or cutting off the oil producing glands. Most of these bumps will go away on their own, but if they do not after a week (or more symptoms are present such as redness or light sensitivity) you should make an appointment with your doctor. Likely, an antibiotic drop will be prescribed, and in more severe cases, the stye may have to be drained surgically.

Floaters

• Floaters, or small bits of color or light that you may see in front of you, are actually small clumps of cells inside the area that lubricates your eyes. As the fluid in your eye begins to get smaller with age, it becomes more and more common for middle-aged people to experience floaters. These irritating bits of color or light will most likely go away on their own. However, if they do not or they come on suddenly or severely, speak with your doctor. This can be a sign of a more serious issue: a detached retina.