Eye problems can be quite severe, and some can lead to blindness if left untreated. That is why it’s important to see an eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision.
Common symptoms include a feeling of tired eyes, blurry vision and headaches. These are often caused by refractive errors, which can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery.
Eyestrain can be caused by any activity that demands a lot of focused attention from your eyes. This can include reading for extended periods, spending a long time on computer or video games, or even crocheting or knitting. Symptoms of eye strain may include achy or sore eyes, blurred vision, a feeling that you need to close your eyes, or a headache. Eye strain is more common than ever, with many people experiencing symptoms due to the increased use of digital devices.
When you are working on a task that requires focus, your eye muscles will contract to help you see clearly. This can cause them to fatigue, leading to achy or sore eyes. Over time, this can lead to a variety of other issues, including headaches and trouble focusing. Eye strain can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as refractive errors, chronic dry eyes, or eye muscle problems.
It’s important to understand that although the discomfort of eye strain can be uncomfortable, it is not usually serious. It can be relieved by taking a break from the activity that is causing it and changing your environment. In addition, a regular eye exam can help determine the cause of your symptoms and provide you with a treatment that will help you.
Keeping your eyes moisturized is another way to reduce eye strain. Try using over-the-counter eye drops and adding foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, which can help improve the speed of tears evaporating from the eyes.
It’s also important to keep in mind that while some eye strain is normal, if it is happening frequently and accompanied by other symptoms, you should visit an optometrist to get it checked out. You could have a condition like dry eye, which will require treatment, or it might indicate that your prescription is outdated and needs to be corrected. Other symptoms, such as nausea and severe pain, should also be evaluated by a health care professional.
Keeping your eyes lubricated is key for maintaining good vision and preventing dry eye disease, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A tear film (the layer that is secreted by glands in the inner corner of each eyelid) helps to keep your eyes comfortable and clear, allowing you to see clearly, but this can be disrupted by various factors including age, medications and environmental conditions like low humidity or windy weather.
Symptoms of dry eye include a gritty feeling in the eyes, a watery sensation, or a burning or stinging feeling. Other symptoms are blurry or hazy vision and a sense that something is in the eye. You may also experience itching or irritation and light sensitivity. Dry eyes can affect your ability to perform certain tasks like driving, reading or working at a computer for extended periods of time.
Dry eye disease is common and can be triggered by several different factors. It often occurs with age, due to medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, or as a side effect of some medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics and some types of blood pressure drugs. Certain autoimmune diseases and environmental conditions such as low humidity or arid climates can also trigger dry eyes. Interestingly, women are more likely to suffer from dry eyes than men because of the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptives and menopause.
To diagnose dry eye disease, your doctor will perform a thorough quality evaluation of your tears and the meibomian glands. They will also look at your history and current medications. Your doctor may use filter paper strips to measure your baseline rate of tear production or analyze the composition of your tears. They can recommend a wide range of treatments for dry eye, including artificial tears drops, gels and ointments; solid lid inserts that slowly release lubricants throughout the day; and punctal occlusion (temporary or permanent) to “plug” the tear drain so more tears stay in the eye. They may also prescribe varenicline, a medication that increases basal tear production. Other treatment options are autologous serum drops, antibiotics and moisture goggles.
Virtually every part of your eye is susceptible to infection by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Fortunately, most infections are easily treated by your physician. Some, however, cause direct damage to the eye that can lead to deteriorating vision or even blindness.
Symptoms vary according to the type of infection. For example, allergic conjunctivitis may involve itchy eyes that resemble the flu or a common cold. It can also include watery, clear discharge. Other symptoms include redness of the eyes and swollen tissue on the white part of the eyelids. Viruses usually produce only minor symptoms, but they can spread to the other eye as well.
Infections caused by fungi, such as histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS), are much more serious. They occur when the fungus enters the blood vessels that supply the retina. This causes the retina to deteriorate and destroys central vision. In addition, the fungus can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, where it can cause a lung condition called histoplasmosis.
There are several treatments for viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. For instance, your ophthalmologist may recommend warm or cold compresses several times a day and ointments that soothe the eye. He or she may also prescribe eye drops, ointments or oral antibiotics depending on the diagnosis. For severe cases, surgery to relieve pressure within the eye (endophthalmitis) may be necessary.
A sty (or hordeolum) is a pimple-like bump that forms on the outer edges of your eyelids. It develops when the oil glands of the eyelids become clogged with dead skin, oils and other substances. These blockages can allow bacteria to overgrow in the glands and cause an eye infection. Your ophthalmologist can prescribe medications to treat styes, but you should consult your doctor if pain and swelling increase.
Infections can be prevented by washing your hands frequently and not touching the eyes. You should also avoid sharing towels, wash cloths and pillow cases, and always wear protective eyewear when going outdoors. Safe sexual practices also lower the risk of STIs, which can lead to an eye infection.
This is a serious condition that can cause blindness. It occurs when the pressure in your eye rises and can damage the optic nerve that connects your eye to your brain. There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. Open-angle glaucoma usually develops slowly over time, although it can be present at birth (congenital glaucoma). Closed-angle glaucoma is less common and can occur suddenly. This type of glaucoma happens when the angle formed by your iris and cornea becomes narrower, which blocks fluid drainage and causes eye pressure to rise quickly. The symptoms are often severe and can include blurred vision, halos around lights, pain, watery eyes, and loss of peripheral vision. If you experience these symptoms, go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero. If left untreated, you could lose your sight within a day or so.
Your eye doctor will ask you about your general health, family history, and any other symptoms you may have. Then they will test your eye pressure with a tonometer. They may also give you eye drops to widen your pupil (dilate) and use a special lens to examine the inside of your eye (gonioscopy). They might also take photographs or laser scanning images of your optic nerve.
Treatment can slow the rate of vision loss from glaucoma and sometimes stop further damage. The goal is to lower your eye pressure to a level that will not harm the optic nerve, but it may take some time to reach this target. Your eye doctor will probably start by prescribing oral medication such as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor or beta-blocker to reduce your eye pressure. They may also prescribe eye drops to help lower your eye pressure. They may also do a procedure called trabeculoplasty, which creates a new channel to help drain your eye fluid, or iridotomy, which makes a tiny hole in the iris to allow drainage. Your doctor might also suggest a surgery called microsurgery, which can reduce your eye pressure.
It is important to visit your opticians regularly for routine eye tests. This will pick up glaucoma before you have any noticeable symptoms and can slow or stop the progression of your glaucoma, allowing you to maintain good vision.
Some eye problems are common and go away on their own, but others require a doctor’s care. Look for the following symptoms, and call your doctor if you experience them:
Red eyes may be caused by irritation or an infection that needs treatment. They could also be a sign of something more serious, such as a retinal detachment.
Many common vision problems, like refractive errors or cataracts, can cause blurry vision. Typically, these issues get worse over time, but when vision is suddenly blurry, this can be a warning sign of a more serious condition.
Blurry vision may also be the first sign of a brain tumor or other health problem. It is important to seek professional help for any change in your eyesight. If you are experiencing blurred vision along with other symptoms, this can make it easier for your doctor to determine what is causing your vision issues.
If your vision is sudden and not improving, you should visit an eye doctor immediately. They will perform a full exam to look for any potential eye or health problems. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe eye drops or a new prescription for you. Other times, your doctor may need to perform a medical procedure, such as surgery, to fix your vision.
The causes of blurry vision vary from mild to severe. Eyestrain is often caused by staring at one object for a long time, so it’s important to take breaks frequently and move your eyes around. Some symptoms of eyestrain include a gritty feeling in your eyes and a reddish color on the white part of your eyes. This is called conjunctivitis or pink eye and it is treatable with antibiotic or steroid eye drops.
Blurry vision can also be a sign of glaucoma. It is an eye disease in which the pressure in your eye increases, affecting the blood vessels of the cornea and optic nerve. This is a serious issue and can lead to blindness. Treatment for glaucoma includes medication, such as oral and topical pressure-lowering medicines, and a laser eye surgery.
Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is a common condition where the eyes become uncomfortable or painful when exposed to bright sunlight or lights in a room. It is not a medical problem itself, but it is a symptom of other conditions that affect the eyes, brain, or psychiatric health. It is important to see an eye doctor if you are experiencing increased light sensitivity, so they can create a treatment plan that addresses the cause of the issue.
Some symptoms of photophobia include pain in the eyes and a desire to close them or squint. Typically, the brighter the light is, the more discomfort you experience. Florescent, flickering, and striped light are also more likely to trigger an adverse reaction than other types of lighting. The wavelength of the light may also play a role in how much you suffer from your symptoms. Blue-light wavelengths tend to produce more discomfort than other wavelengths.
Migraine headaches can also cause this type of sensitivity, and about 80% of people who get migraines say they are uncomfortable around bright light. Similarly, people who suffer from cluster and tension headaches often report this type of sensitivity. Light sensitivity can also occur due to eye surgery like LASIK or cataracts, certain medications such as birth control pills and antibiotics, and some autoimmune disorders like lupus.
A few key tips for treating light sensitivity include getting regular eye exams to ensure your eyes are healthy, identifying environmental triggers and slowly increasing exposure to them over time, and using tinted lenses that block out specific wavelengths of light if you have one. It is also important to keep up with your treatment regimen for the underlying condition that is causing your sensitivity and to speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any new or sudden increases in symptoms, as they could indicate a more serious problem.
Floaters are the tiny lines, dots or specks that you see floating around in your field of vision. Generally, these are harmless and they tend to fade away over time. However, if you notice them suddenly and in large numbers, this could be a sign of a more serious eye issue. This is especially true if you see flashes of light or experience a sudden loss of peripheral vision, as these are signs of retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness unless treated quickly.
Blurry vision that comes on suddenly is a common sign of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. This is because macular degeneration causes the center of the macula (which controls straight-ahead vision) to deteriorate and lose its ability to absorb and process light. This condition usually affects one eye first, and it can be corrected with medication or an eye operation.
Another eye problem symptom that’s important to watch for is sudden worsening of the appearance of floaters, which can be a symptom of a retinal tear or detachment. If you’re experiencing this symptom, contact your doctor right away.
A sudden onset of floaters and a loss of peripheral vision can also be a sign of an eye infection, like pinkeye. This is an inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelid, and it can be treated with warm compresses, antibiotic drops or ointment, and frequent handwashing.
You may notice that you have difficulty seeing out of the center of your field of vision (also known as your peripheral vision). This could mean a change in the way you drive or move around, and it can be dangerous. Typically, this is a sign that something is wrong and you should schedule an eye appointment with your ophthalmologist.
Blurry vision in the center of your visual field is usually the result of eyeglasses or contact lenses, while blurry side or bottom vision is more indicative of a serious medical issue such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, wet age-related macular degeneration or other serious health conditions that can lead to blindness if not treated in time. Sudden changes in peripheral vision are particularly alarming and should prompt immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist.
Another warning sign is tunnel vision, which makes it difficult to see things directly in front of you or above and below you. This could be a symptom of glaucoma, macular degeneration or even brain damage, such as from a stroke or tumor.
A final symptom is eyelid problems, which could include swollen or styes that can be painful and itchy and a crusting of the outer edges of the eyes. You might also experience spasms of the eyelid or have a burning sensation in your eyes. These issues could indicate a variety of different conditions including a blocked tear duct, infection or inflammation. Eyelid problems can be very uncomfortable, and it’s important to treat them early so they don’t worsen. It’s best to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as you notice any symptoms of an eye problem, and make sure to have regular comprehensive eye exams.
The eyes are a very delicate organ that can often experience problems. Some of these are minor and may go away on their own, while others can lead to serious health problems. Getting to know the signs of eye problems can help you catch them early, and in some cases even prevent vision loss from occurring altogether.
Eye pain is generally described as a sharp, aching sensation that can occur in one or both eyes. It can also be felt as a throbbing or burning feeling that comes from a certain part of the eye, such as when you have an eyelash or dirt stuck in your eye.
Another common symptom of eye issues is itching and drying eyes. This is a sign that the tear ducts are not providing enough lubrication to the eyes, which can be caused by a number of different things. It could be from the use of contact lenses, from too much screen time, or due to certain medications.
Another problem that can cause itching is a red bump on the eyelid called a stye. This is a painful, red-coloured lump that forms on the eyelid because of a clogged oil gland in the eyelid. It usually starts as a pimple-like lump on the edge of the eyelid and then expands for three days. If a stye doesn’t get treated, it can become infected and spread to other parts of the eye, such as the cornea or the ciliary body. This is called uveitis and is not good for your eyesight. In extreme cases, it can even lead to a retinal detachment. This is very serious and needs to be treated immediately.
Eye problems can be a serious problem that affects your quality of life. However, these problems can often be treated with medication and surgery.
Blurry vision is due to refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness and distorted vision at all distances (astigmatism). These can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery.
Eye strain is a common complaint in today’s digital age, and it can be uncomfortable. It can also indicate an underlying issue, like muscle imbalance or uncorrected refractive errors. It’s important to address the cause of your eyestrain as soon as possible.
The main causes of eyestrain are looking at screens for too long and not taking breaks. You can alleviate the symptoms by using eye drops, adjusting your screen settings, and resting your eyes. You can also try running a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can help with dry eyes and eyestrain.
Another cause of eye strain is infrequent blinking. People typically blink about 18 times per minute, which refreshes the eyes. This lack of blinking can lead to dry eyes and itchy, blurry vision. Eyestrain can be exacerbated by fatigue and a lack of sleep. It’s recommended that you get at least eight hours of sleep each night to help with eye health.
Other signs of eye strain include headaches, tired or achy eyes, and blurry vision. It may be difficult to determine the cause of your pain, but it is important to see an optometrist to ensure that you are not dealing with an underlying condition. A medical provider can provide recommendations on how to reduce eye strain and other issues, as well as prescribe an eyeglasses prescription if necessary. The good news is that eye strain is usually temporary and doesn’t cause permanent damage to the eyes.
If you have glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve can lead to blind spots in your vision. It is usually caused by high pressure in the eye, but there are some theories that it may also be due to a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. Medication and surgery can help prevent vision loss from glaucoma, but it cannot restore vision that has already been lost.
Experts do not know exactly what causes glaucoma, but they have identified some conditions that increase the risk of developing it. Some types of glaucoma are known to run in families, while others can be caused by other health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. People with a history of trauma or certain surgeries are at higher risk for developing glaucoma as well.
The most common type of glaucoma is chronic open-angle glaucoma, which develops slowly over months or years without any symptoms. Nicknamed the ‘sneak thief of sight’, it can go unnoticed until it has caused significant damage to the optic nerve. The less common type of glaucoma is acute angle-closure glaucoma, which occurs more quickly and can cause severe eye pain, nausea, headache, watery eyes, redness in the eye and seeing halos around lights.
Medication is often used to treat glaucoma. It works by lowering eye pressure, either by increasing the amount of fluid that exits the eye or by slowing down the rate at which fluid leaves the eye. Eye surgery can also be used to create a new passage for fluid to escape or by implanting a shunt to drain the eye.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish your retina. The damaged vessels may bleed or leak fluid into the retina and change your vision. These changes in vision are called diabetic retinopathy. You can protect your vision by having regular dilated eye exams.
If your diabetic retinopathy is mild, your doctor may not need treatment right away. They will monitor your eyes and may use special tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provide cross-sectional images of the retina and help determine how much fluid is leaking into your retinal tissue. Laser surgery, called photocoagulation, reduces swelling in the retina and can improve your vision by removing abnormal blood vessels.
Bleeding in the retina can cause blurred vision, which is called macular edema. You might also see floaters, which are spots that look like little specks or blotches floating in your vision. These are often caused by small hemorrhages (bleeding). Hemorrhages can get worse over time and lead to severe blurred vision or even blindness. To prevent this, your doctor may inject you with medicines into your eye. These medicines are called anti-VEGF. Two examples of these are ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea).
If your diabetic retinopathy is more advanced, your eye doctor will need to treat you more aggressively. They might perform laser surgery or a procedure called vitrectomy. During this procedure, your doctor makes a small incision in your eye and removes the vitreous gel, which is cloudy with blood. Then they replace it with a salt solution.
Macular degeneration is a condition that can affect your central vision. It happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula (MAK-uh-luh) of your eye lose their ability to work. The condition can cause blurred vision, distortion, and blind spots. It can also make colors look less bright. If you have macular degeneration, your doctor may recommend low-vision aids or other steps to help you live independently. They can also help you manage your risk factors. That includes following a healthy diet and not smoking. They can also suggest a support group for people with macular degeneration.
There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. The wet form of the disease is more serious. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and leak fluid under the retina. This can lead to rapid and permanent loss of central vision.
The dry form of the disease develops slowly over time. But it can progress to the wet form quickly, especially in people with a family history of the disease.
To check for macular degeneration, your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes. They will put drops in your eyes to dilate them, then use a special magnifying lens to examine the back of your eye. They will also use a tool called optical coherence tomography angiography to take high-resolution pictures of your retina and the blood vessels that supply it. These pictures will show if you have abnormal new blood vessels that are leaking fluid or bleeding under the retina. This is a non-invasive test that can help you avoid a sudden loss of vision. It’s also a good idea to get regular eye exams because early detection of macular degeneration can help you get treatment before you notice a change in your vision.
A condition in which you don’t produce enough tears to lubricate the eye, resulting in blurry vision. It can also cause other health issues, such as ocular inflammation and chronic eye pain. It can even lead to permanent eye damage or blindness in severe cases.
Tears are produced in glands on the rim of your eyelids, called the meibomian glands. When these glands don’t produce enough oil, your tears dry out quickly and evaporate from the eyes. This can be caused by certain medications, age or environmental conditions. It can also occur as a side effect of a chronic illness such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or rosacea. It can also be a side effect of taking certain herbs or supplements.
If you have moderate to severe dry eye syndrome, your doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointments to help lubricate the eyes and keep them moist. They may also recommend avoiding activities that can worsen your symptoms, such as staring at a screen for long periods of time or exposure to direct wind and sunlight. They might suggest using a humidifier at home and work to increase the humidity, or dietary supplements that can decrease inflammation around the surface of the eye.
Occasionally, they might prescribe punctal occlusion, which involves blocking the small drainage channels that run from your eyelids into the nose (these are what make it run when you cry). This can be done temporarily or permanently.
If your vision isn’t as clear as it should be, don’t wait to see an eye specialist. Early diagnosis can prevent or slow many eye diseases and other conditions that affect your vision.
Tiny spots or specks that float across your field of vision are called floaters. They may be a sign of a retinal detachment. Your doctor can help you with eyeglasses, contacts or surgery.
Amblyopia is a condition in which one eye does not see well. This condition can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in children. The reason for this is that the first years of life are crucial to vision development. Children must have clear retinal images from both eyes to form the visual centers in their brains. If a child has a problem with one eye, such as strabismus or anisometropia, the brain ignores the image from that eye and the vision in that eye declines over time. This is called deprivation amblyopia and requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Many kids with Amblyopia don’t complain of any problems, and their parents or teachers might be the ones to notice a vision issue. Some of the symptoms include crossed eyes (strabismus), squinting, or difficulty following moving objects with both eyes. Children with this condition often do poorly on visual tests, such as those used for school screenings.
There are several causes of Amblyopia. Some of the most common include strabismus, which is when the two eyes do not aim at the same object; anisometropia, which is when the eyes have different prescriptions and thus have different vision; and a physical blockage of an eye, such as a cataract, a droopy eyelid (ptosis), or a blocked tear duct.
In most cases, Amblyopia can be treated with patching. This is when a patch is placed over the stronger eye for a few hours each day to force the weak eye to use its image. The other main method of treating Amblyopia is with glasses, which can correct refraction errors that cause the lazy eye.
The eyes are designed to work together in tandem, focusing on the same visual target at all times (that’s called binocular vision). When one eye is misaligned — either turning in or out, up or down or even around — it’s known as Strabismus. Symptoms of strabismus can include double vision, poor depth perception and impaired reading ability. It can also affect a person’s self-esteem and even their learning abilities. It’s important to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist (two types of eye doctors) to get the correct treatment if your child has symptoms of strabismus.
Strabismus is often caused by a problem with the muscles that control eye movement. It can be present at birth or develop in early childhood and it tends to run in families. Some children with strabismus need spectacles to help align their eyes for near tasks such as reading or computer work, but the best solution for many is eye muscle surgery, which can be performed as an outpatient procedure or in a hospital, usually under general anesthesia.
There are several types of strabismus. The most common is the eyes crossing inward, which is called esotropia. Other common types are horizontal and vertical deviations. Horizontal deviations are classified as hypertropia when the eye is directed higher than the fellow eye, and hypotropia when it’s lower. A rare type of strabismus is the cyclo- or torsional, which describes an irregular rotation of the eyes. Most strabismus is comitant, meaning the magnitude of the misalignment remains the same regardless of gaze position. Less noticeable cases of strabismus are called noncomitant and are more variable between gaze positions. In these cases, the weaker eye can become “lazy,” and some vision may be lost over time unless the strabismus is treated.
The front of the eye has a clear fluid, called aqueous humor, that nourishes it and gives it its shape. The fluid drains away through a system of channels in the cornea and iris. If the drainage system is blocked, pressure inside the eye increases and damage to the optic nerve may occur. This damage can lead to blindness.
The cause of glaucoma isn’t always known, but some health conditions increase the risk. These include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and advanced cataracts. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, develops slowly and usually has no symptoms. People who don’t see their optician or GP regularly can develop this type of glaucoma and go undiagnosed until they start losing vision. Symptoms of this type include blurred or tunnel-like vision, rainbow-coloured rings around bright lights (halos), and sometimes severe eye pain, vomiting, and headache. This type of glaucoma can be diagnosed by your optician using gonioscopy or pachymetry.
Another type of glaucoma, called closed-angle or angle-closure glaucoma, is much more serious. It occurs when the drainage angle formed by the iris and cornea becomes too narrow or closes. This causes the fluid to build up in your eye and pressure to rise quickly. It can be treated by a specialist called an ophthalmologist.
There are many different treatments for glaucoma. Some medicines help the eye make less fluid and others lower the pressure in the eyes by helping fluid drain. You might also have surgery, such as a trabeculectomy, in which your doctor creates new channels to drain fluid and ease pressure. There are also less invasive surgical procedures that use tiny openings and devices you can’t see, but these don’t reduce pressure as much.