Your sense of sight allows you to see the world in all its beauty and color. However, it can be frightening when something goes wrong with your vision. Whether it’s a sudden onset of blurry vision or a gradual decline in acuity, vision problems can have a significant impact on your life.
In this article, we will discuss the most common eye conditions, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. By better understanding these conditions, you’ll be able to receive the medical care you need.
Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism
Myopia, or nearsightedness, results in far-off objects seeming out of focus. Conversely, hyperopia makes things close to you appear indistinct. Meanwhile, astigmatism leads to unclear vision at every range, whether close or distant.
Causes
These three common eye conditions are a result of light refracting in your eye at the wrong point. This is caused by a misshapen cornea or lens. In myopia, your eyeball is unusually long with a curved cornea. People with hyperopia have short eyeballs with a flat cornea.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism is blurred vision. However, these symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Other common symptoms include:
- Difficulty seeing objects at a distance
- Eyestrain
- Headaches
- Double vision
Treatment
The treatment for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. More severe cases may require refractive surgery.
Refractive surgery is a procedure that changes the shape of the cornea or lens to improve vision. There are several different types of refractive surgery, including LASIK and PRK.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. The lens is a clear, flexible structure that helps to focus light onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy, it scatters light and makes it difficult to see.
Causes
The exact cause of cataracts is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to aging, genetics, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Other factors that may increase the risk of developing cataracts include smoking, diabetes, and certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
The symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the cataract. Common symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Halos around light
- Double vision
- Difficulty driving at night
- Sensitivity to light
- Color vision changes
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for cataracts. If your condition starts interfering with your daily life, your eye doctor may suggest surgery. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. This can significantly improve your vision.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a natural part of aging that affects everyone. It is the gradual loss of the ability to focus on close objects.
Causes
The lens in the eye is made of a flexible material that changes shape to focus light on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As we age, the lens becomes less flexible and is not able to change shape as easily. This makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects.
Symptoms
Presbyopia usually starts to develop in people who are in their 40s and 50s. The symptoms of presbyopia can include:
- Blurred vision for near objects
- Difficulty focusing on small print
- Needing to hold reading material further away to see it clearly
- Eyestrain or headaches after doing close work
Treatment
Presbyopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Treatments work by changing the way light enters the eye, making it easier to focus on near objects. Surgery is also an option for people who do not want to wear glasses or contact lenses. There are several different types of surgery for presbyopia, each with its own risks and benefits.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition that causes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, to thin and bulge forward. This can lead to blurred vision, glare, and sensitivity to light.
Causes
The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The condition is also more common in people with a family history of the condition. It has been associated with certain medical conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and Down syndrome.
Symptoms
The symptoms of keratoconus can vary from mild to severe. As the condition progresses, these symptoms may worsen and can include:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Halos around lights
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty driving at night
- Dry eyes
- Pain in the eye
Treatment
There is no cure for keratoconus, but there are treatments that can help improve vision. The most common treatment for keratoconus is eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the shape of the cornea.
Expert Eye Doctor in Miami, FL
Your eyesight enables you to fully experience the world and the people around you. However, it can be vulnerable to a variety of eye conditions that affect vision. It’s important to learn more about these common conditions and find the right treatment center, should you develop symptoms. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, visit an eye doctor, so they can help improve your vision.
Have problems with your eyesight? Our eye experts at The Laser Center of Coral Gables in Miami, FL are here to help identify, manage, and treat your eye condition. We are committed to providing quality eye care, from diagnosis to surgery, so you can experience life with good vision. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor, call us at (305) 461-0003 or fill out our online appointment request form.
