Regular Visits to the Eye Doctor Can Save Your Precious Sight

BY SARA MAGNOLA

Eye care is sometimes a neglected aspect of our overall health. Many people only go to see an eye doctor, or ophthalmologist, when they are experiencing a problem, as opposed to scheduling regular visits as one does with a physician for a yearly check-up.

Unfortunately, eye disease, which frequently leads to weakened or complete loss of vision, is not only prevalent in America, but it is on the rise. While people over the age of 40 are most afflicted by eye disorders, problems can be experienced by people of all ages. They can range in severity from mild allergic reactions that cause discomfort and require over-the-counter remedies, to severe cases that can cause blindness and need surgery to be corrected.

EYE DISORDERS AND DISEASES
The most common eye disorders afflicting Americans are refractive errors, a collection of conditions that affect vision when light is not focused on the eye’s retina correctly. Two forms of this are myopia and hyperopia, better known as nearsightedness and farsightedness, which cause people to have difficulty seeing objects that are either too near or too far away, respectively. Another form of a refractive error is astigmatism, which renders a person unable to focus evenly on an object with both
eyes due to an irregular curvature of the eye’s surface. While these conditions do diminish vision, they can almost always be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses that are prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Since a person’s vision impairment will most likely continue to change over time, it is important to revisit the ophthalmologist each year to ensure that the prescription does not need to be altered. Another possible remedy for people suffering from refractive errors is corrective surgery, such as Lasik surgery.

Another disease that affects millions of Americans’ sight each year is glaucoma. Although the exact cause of this disease is unknown, it is usually accompanied by a buildup of fluid that creates an excessively high level of pressure in the eye. This pressure can damage the retina and optic nerve and if left untreated ultimately leads to vision loss. During an eye exam, an ophthalmologist can test for glaucoma by dilating a person’s pupils or using a puff of air to test the pressure level in the eye. If the disease is detected before vision is lost, prescription eye drops and pills can be taken to control the pressure and minimize damage. Unfortunately, once a person begins to lose his or her sight, usually starting with peripheral vision, the damage is irreversible.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, another disorder that can result in diminished vision, mainly affects people over the age of 60. Dry AMD, the most common form of the disease, is characterized by a development of fatty deposits under the cells in the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for central vision) that processes light. Like glaucoma, the specific cause of AMD is unknown. Studies have shown that certain lifestyle elements, such as smoking and consuming a diet low in antioxidant nutrients, put people at a higher risk of developing the disease later in life.

Cataracts are another condition that leads to impaired vision, especially in people over the age of 60, since the condition is usually a result of the natural aging process. It causes clusters of protein to form on the lens of the eye, creating areas where light cannot pass through. The result is blurred vision, color distortion, reduced night vision, and a loss of depth perception. While cataracts are the leading cause of legal blindness worldwide, they are highly curable via surgery that replaces the clouded lens with an artificial one. Cataract removal surgery has a 98 percent success rate and is now one of the most commonly performed procedures in the US.

Another common eye disorder that affects millions of Americans is eyestrain, which is often the result of staring at a computer screen all day long, and can cause such unpleasant symptoms as dry eyes, blurred vision, headache, sore neck, and an increased sensitivity to light. If a person must work at a PC for long stretches of time, there are ways he or she can minimize the damage caused to the eyes. Taking a break and looking away from the screen at least once every hour, being conscious of blinking often, and wearing eyeglasses or contacts with the correct prescription are ways to minimize the harmful effects of being desk-bound day in and day out.

If you are suffering from an intense case of dry eye and experiencing burning, itching, watering or other discharge from the eyes, you should see a doctor. It could be something more serious, such as an allergic reaction, conjunctivitis (known as pink eye), or another type of eye infection that would require attention.

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