Take Care of Your Eyes—Most Common Eye Problems Nowadays and How to Deal with Them
While most of us can’t imagine life without helpful technology, not everything screens do for us is beneficial. Spending long times in front of the screen can cause various health issues, some of which attack the eyes. So, this is the perfect time to pay more attention to our eye health and learn a thing or two about diseases that can affect it.
Conjunctivitis
This inflammation of the eye, also known as pinkeye, is one of the most common eye issues in people of all ages. It affects the clear tissue that covers the eye and can also affect the inside of the eyelid (conjunctiva). The most common cause of pinkeye is a bacterial and viral infection, but it can also occur due to irritation by allergens, pollutants, and chemicals. While most cases of conjunctivitis are viral and require no treatment, some bacterial pinkeye infections can be treated with antibiotics, drops, and ointments you can get from your doctor. In order to reduce the spread of infection, make sure to practice good hand hygiene and don’t share makeup, cosmetics, and towels.
Nearsightedness and farsightedness
Myopia and hyperopia or nearsightedness and farsightedness are also widespread. From children to seniors, millions of people struggle with these conditions all around the planet. For instance, around 50% of all Australians rely on glasses or contacts to provide them with good vision. While glasses and contacts can help with vision correction, there are also other procedures that can improve (or completely fix) nearsightedness and farsightedness. For instance, many Australians opt for laser surgery to lower or eliminate prescription. There are specialists in laser eye surgery in Sydney with informative websites where you can find more information about the procedure and its effect on the quality of life.
Macular degeneration
Just in the US alone, over 10 million people suffer from this eye condition. Macular degeneration causes damage to the retina and results in the eye’s inability to focus on the vision. Because your retina helps you drive, read and recognize faces, it literally affects every part of your life. Even though it’s still not curable, macular degeneration can be prevented. For instance, smokers have a greater risk of developing this condition, so make sure to quit today.
Cataracts
Cataracts cause the formation of cloudy areas in the eye lens which prevents the light from reaching the retina. When the light can’t pass smoothly, it causes vision issues that can end up in blindness if left untreated. So, as soon as you notice any cloudiness, blurriness, halos around objects or other vision issues, make sure to visit your doctor. Regular eye exams can also help since an early diagnosis usually brings better corrective results.
Eye dryness
The primary function of tears is to keep our eyes well-lubricated and healthy. However, when eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep the eye wet, it can cause something known as dry eye syndrome. Additionally, if tears get produced but don’t have quality composition, it can also result in eye dryness. Most people experience this condition as a stinging or burning sensation in the eyes. In some cases, dry eyes can even cause vision loss to some smaller degree. Eye dryness can get worse when spending prolonged times in air-conditioned rooms, flying on a plane or using screens for hours without breaks. Luckily, eye dryness can be prevented with healthy eye hygiene and prescription drops. A humidifier in your home can also relieve symptoms if you suffer from this condition.
Sty
Sty (or stye) is an infection of oil glands under your eyelashes. This condition usually appears as a red pimple right on the edge of the eyelid which causes pain, tenderness, redness and even swelling of the lid. Sometimes, even eyeball can be irritated if the ‘pimple’ is too swollen. Usually, warm compresses held for 10 minutes a few times a day can help with the infection. In case the pimple releases pus, gentle cleaning with water and soap will help. After the rupture, sty often goes away. If the sty is very big, painful and irritating to your vision, make sure to consult with your doctor.
Eyes are out windows to the world, so don’t neglect their health. Regular eye exams can detect vision problems while proper hygiene can prevent infections—it’s really not that hard to keep your peepers in top condition!
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