Ocular Diseases

This article address some of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. and in the world . Other ocular diseases and conditions not discussed here include common diseases and conditions such as pinkeye (conjunctivitis), itchy eyes, blurred vision,swelling, redness, pain, floaters, spots, and flashes. and eye injuries. In addition, there are numerous diseases that result from systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. While some eye diseases can't be cured, many can be prevented or delayed by early diagnosis and treatment by an eye specialist. When a patient is diagnosed with an eye condition it is imperative that he follow the doctor's orders closely and return for regular visits to an ophthalmologist.

Cataracts

• Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cataracts cloud the eye's lenses, making it hard to see through them. Although more elderly people get cataracts, young people sometimes get them as well. More than half of the people in the world have cataracts or have had cataracts removed by surgery by the time they are 80 years old. Some symptoms of cataracts are: blurred vision; seeing colors as dull or faded; difficulty seeing at night; seeing double; and glare.

  The NIH advises wearing a hat with a wide brim and dark glasses when in the sunlight to delay the formation of cataracts. Cataract formation is progressive and may take many years to cause blindness. At first using a magnifying glass, getting stronger glasses and better lighting can help. When cataracts are removed by surgery the lens is removed and replaced by an artificial one.

Glaucoma

• Glaucoma is another leading cause of blindness. This eye disease damages the optic nerve when pressure inside the eye increases. Blacks and Hispanics are more likely than white people to get the disease. Because there are often no symptoms at first, many people who have glaucoma don't know they have it. People most at risk are: blacks over 40 years old; everyone over 60, especially Hispanics; and anyone with a family history of glaucoma.
  Although there is no cure for glaucoma, treatment involves prescription eye drops and sometimes surgery. The disease should be diagnosed early, while treatment can prevent or postpone permanent damage to the optic nerve.

Macular Degeneration

• Because it affects mostly people who are 50 years old and older, with the numbers of people affected increasing as they grow older, this disease is often called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. A leading cause of blindness in this age group, the disease affects the vision in the retina, the central part of the eye that allows the eye to see objects clearly. People affected by this disease have trouble driving, reading, seeing signs in stores, watching TV and doing other activities of daily living. Two forms of the disease, wet and dry, affect the eyes in different ways. In wet AMD, blood vessels grow under the macula, and cause fluid to leak. In dry AMD cells in the macula break down, the retina thins and the central vision blurs.

  Macular degeneration does not cause complete blindness. Peripheral vision is not lost. There is no cure for AMD, but early diagnosis allows the doctor and patient to find the treatment that will be most effective in slowing the degeneration.

Diabetic Retinopathy

• This eye disease caused by diabetes affects the light-sensitive retina. It affects more than half of the people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S., making it the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. People who have diabetes are advised to have a complete eye exam that includes dilating the pupils once every year.

  The disease can be treated with surgery, and blindness from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if patients see their doctors regularly and work to control blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Prevention

• Prevention is the key to preventing or slowing the effects of eye disease. Preventive measures include:regular visits to the eye specialist; following orders carefully; scheduling extra visits when new symptoms occur; reducing glare; wearing wide-brimmed hats in sunlight and sunglasses in bright sun; using protective glasses or goggles when working with tools; and washing hands frequently to prevent infectious eye diseases