Eye Diseases to Watch Out for Check Here

Are you aware of any eye conditions to be on the lookout for?

At any age, including toddlerhood, school age, productive age, and old age, visual issues and loss might arise. This vision impairment can make it difficult for the patient to carry out daily activities and put them in danger, which lowers their quality of life and may even lead to depression.

Refractive errors, cataracts, eye infections, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye illnesses are among the most prevalent vision problems.

 

Refractive injuries

The inability to focus light entering the eye clearly is known as refractive error. Refractive errors can be classified into four categories: astigmatism (astigmatism), presbyopia (old age farsightedness), hyperopia (astigmatism), and myopia (farsightedness).

 

Xerostomia

Irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white portion of the eyeball, is known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. Allergies as well as bacterial or viral infections might be the cause of this illness. Contact with an infected person's ocular fluids can result in the extremely contagious transmission of conjunctivitis. Watery, red, and itchy eyes are among the symptoms. The skin surrounding the eyes may also become harder or discharge as a result of this.

 

The cataract

Glasses cannot treat cataracts, a condition where the lens becomes hazy and causes vision issues. The eye can develop cataracts on one or both sides. This illness can result in blindness in old life if treatment is not received. Reduced vision, such as seeing clouds or fog and glare when gazing at light, is the most common complaint. Cataract surgery can be used to remove this visual impairment.

 

Macular Degeneration

The first sign of macular degeneration, also known as aged-related macular degeneration (AMD), is generally fuzzy vision that starts in the middle of the vision. There are two forms of AMD: moist and dry. Because of the steady loss of retinal cells, dry AMD develops. Wet type AMD is brought on by aberrant blood vessel growth into the macula, which can lead to bleeding or fluid buildup in the retina and vision issues. Smoking, advanced age, and hereditary factors are risk factors for AMD. Patients with risk factors need to be vigilant so that they can receive the appropriate care before problems that could lead to blindness occur.

 

Diabetic Eye Disease

The elderly are frequently affected by diabetes, a systemic illness that can cause retinopathy, or damage to the retinal layer. Retinopathy symptoms include gloomy vision, burning eyes, impaired vision, and floaters, or black specks in the eyesight.

 

Glaucoma

The eye condition known as glaucoma is brought on by an obstruction of the fluid flow within the eye, which causes the fluid to accumulate and raise the pressure inside the eye. Primary angle-closure glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and congenital (congenital from birth) glaucoma are the several kinds of glaucoma.

Especially in those over 49, open-angle glaucoma is more common than closed-angle glaucoma. Excessive pressure on the eyeball may harm the optic nerve, impairing one's ability to see. Open angle glaucoma symptoms are similar to being unable to see the left and right sides of a corridor. Vision loss may occur if treatment for this disease is not received.

 

Here's how to check for eye diseases and prevent eye disease:

• Even if there are no complaints, have your eyes checked every six months to a year.
• Every six months, people with diabetes should get their eyes examined.
• When exposed to UV radiation, wear sunglasses.
• Give up smoking.
• Consume nutritious food.
• Keep your blood pressure normal.
• If you have diabetes, manage your blood sugar.

Here are some typical signs of eye disease to be aware of: 

• Abrupt ocular pain followed with erythema, nausea, and vomiting
• abrupt haziness of vision
• Observe the drifting black dots
• dual vision
• Perception resembles a dark drape.
• The range of vision is becoming more limited.
• progressive eyesight loss and distortion
• such as observing fog, nighttime light halos, and fading colors
• impaired vision in diabetic people.

To prevent future issues, don't hesitate to see the closest medical facility as soon as you experience these symptoms to be examined by an eye specialist.

To facilitate registration at Hermina Soreang Hospital, download the Hermina Mobile Apps app.

 

Reference :

1. Gibson J. Screening for eye disease in the elderly: is it worth it? British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005). 2009;70(10):554-5.
2.  Addis VM, DeVore HK, Summerfield ME. Acute visual changes in the elderly. Clinics in geriatric medicine. 2013;29(1):165-80.
3. Jennifer E. Eye care for older people. Community Eye Health Journal. 2008;21.
4. Eye care in the elderly. Australian Journal for General Practitioners. 2014;43:447-50.