What are the most common vision problems? Treatments and prevention

If you are reading this, you are probably concerned about the health of your eyes. Did you know that most common vision problems can be treated and prevented? In this article, you will find valuable information about the most frequent visual conditions and how to treat them.

Plus, if you're interested in prevention, we also offer helpful tips. Keep reading to learn about the most common vision problems and the ideal treatments for each one. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to protect your vision!

What is considered an eye disease?

Eye diseases are any conditions that affect the health and function of the eyes. These can arise for a variety of reasons. Some are hereditary and passed down from parents to children. Others, however, can be caused by exposure to environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation or air pollution.

In addition, bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can also cause eye diseases, as can traumatic injuries to the eye. Aging is another important factor in the development of eye diseases. Additional risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity.

Most common diseases affecting our eyes

Globally, the most common vision problems include refractive errors such as nearsightedness and astigmatism. However, there are more serious diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can lead to complete vision loss.

However, the spectrum of eye conditions is much broader. Learn more about each of them below:

Color blindness

Color blindness is a condition in which a person has difficulty perceiving certain colors. The severity of color blindness varies, ranging from an inability to distinguish certain shades to an inability to perceive colors at all.

In addition, color blindness is hereditary and often affects the ability to differentiate between red and green, which is the most common type of color blindness.

Treatments for Color Blindness

There is no definitive treatment for congenital color blindness. However, there are special contact lenses and glasses that can help some people with color blindness to distinguish colors better. These devices work by manipulating light to enhance certain colors and improve color perception.

How to Prevent Color Blindness

Since color blindness is mostly hereditary, prevention is not entirely feasible. However, it is important to take measures such as consulting with specialists. Frequent checkups are useful for detecting this condition early and providing accommodations for people with color blindness in their daily lives.

Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a degenerative eye disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed and sharp vision. It comes in two forms. The dry form is the most common and progresses slowly, manifesting with symptoms such as blurred vision and loss of clarity in the colors of objects.

On the other hand, wet AMD can cause more rapid and severe vision loss. It is estimated that about 10% of dry AMD cases progress to the wet form. Initial symptoms of wet AMD include seeing straight lines as wavy and distorted.

Treatments for Macular Degeneration

Treatment may vary depending on the type of DME. If it is dry DME, the procedure may range from vitamin supplements to surgery to implant a telescopic lens. In contrast, for wet DME, treatment ranges from medication to photocoagulation therapies.

How to prevent macular degeneration?

Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are some measures that can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration:

• Healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. In particular, foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol: Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control can help reduce the risk of developing eye problems, including macular degeneration.

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a condition in which tears do not provide adequate lubrication and moisture to the surface of the eye. If you have dry eye, you may experience burning, itching, redness, sensitivity to light, a feeling of having a foreign body in your eye, and blurred vision.

Treatments for Dry Eye

Treatment for dry eye may include:

• Use of artificial tears: Lubricating drops help relieve dry eyes and provide moisture.
• Tear duct plugs: These small devices are placed in the tear ducts to conserve natural tears and moisturize the eyes.

How to Prevent Dry Eye

To prevent dry eye, consider taking visual breaks if you spend long hours in front of screens. Resting regularly helps relax your eyes.

Similarly, when we spend a lot of time on the computer, we unconsciously stop blinking. So, another useful measure is to place an artificial tear in each eye every 20 minutes and then look at a fixed point away from the computer.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye condition that develops due to the clouding of the lens, which hinders the entry of light and causes blurred or cloudy vision. Cataracts usually develop after the age of 40, as the proteins in the lens of the eye begin to break down naturally.

Cataract Treatments

Once you have cataracts, no medication can cure them or stop their progression. The only effective solution is surgery.

How to Prevent Cataracts

To prevent cataracts, it is essential to protect your eyes from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light by wearing sunglasses. It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

In addition, avoid tobacco and reduce alcohol consumption. These external catalysts contribute to accelerating the development of cataracts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve and can cause irreversible damage if left untreated. This damage is usually related to increased intraocular pressure, although it can also occur in people with normal eye pressure.

The symptoms of glaucoma can develop gradually, so they may go unnoticed. The only way to detect glaucoma is through a comprehensive eye exam with pupil dilation.

Treatments for Glaucoma

Treatments for this type of condition include:

• Prescription eye drops.
• Oral medications.
• Laser treatments.
• Surgery.

How can glaucoma be prevented?

Some prevention strategies include:

• Regular eye exams: Having regular eye exams is essential for detecting glaucoma in its early stages.
• Maintaining healthy intraocular pressure: High intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for developing glaucoma. Regular exercise and a balanced diet also help maintain healthy intraocular pressure levels.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Depending on the underlying cause, conjunctivitis can be contagious.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by various factors such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, chemical irritants, or reactions to contact lenses.

Treatments for Conjunctivitis

When it comes to conjunctivitis caused by allergens, improvement is usually seen when the allergen is removed from the environment. Allergy medications and certain eye drops are often effective.

How to Prevent Conjunctivitis

To prevent conjunctivitis, you can follow these recommendations:

• Do not touch your eyes: avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands, as this can introduce germs into your eyes and increase your risk of getting conjunctivitis.
• Avoid exposure to irritants or allergens: if you are prone to allergic conjunctivitis, avoid contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, and other known triggers.

Astigmatism

In an eye with astigmatism, the cornea or lens does not have a uniform curvature in all directions. This causes light to not focus correctly on the retina, resulting in distorted vision of both near and distant objects.

This eye problem is usually linked to nearsightedness or farsightedness. Astigmatism can also be present from birth or develop over time.

Treatments for Astigmatism

Treatments for astigmatism include:

• Corrective lenses: The most common method of correcting astigmatism is the use of corrective lenses, either prescription glasses or specialized contact lenses.
• Refractive surgery: for more severe cases of astigmatism, refractive surgery is ideal, as it will reshape the curvature of the cornea and improve vision.

How to prevent astigmatism?

There are some measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing this condition:

• Eye care: maintaining proper eye hygiene and taking visual breaks when working on screens preserves overall eye health. This, in turn, can help prevent astigmatism.
• Regular eye exams: Having regular eye exams is essential for detecting any changes in vision and addressing them in a timely manner.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an age-related vision disorder that affects the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects. It occurs when the lens loses flexibility over time, making it difficult for the eye to focus clearly on nearby objects.

Treatments for presbyopia

Among the treatments available for presbyopia are:

• Prescription glasses: the use of corrective lenses, such as bifocal or progressive glasses, can correct presbyopia. In addition, there are contact lenses that also offer similar correction.
• Lens implants: you can opt for the insertion of a multifocal intraocular lens or accommodative lenses, which will mimic the physiological accommodation of the eye.

How can presbyopia be prevented?

To delay presbyopia, keep the following tips in mind:

• Regular eye exams: Regular checkups with specialists are crucial for detecting presbyopia in its early stages and addressing it in time.
• Use natural light: when performing any task that requires close vision, it is best to expose yourself to natural light rather than using artificial light.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia is a refractive error of the eye that makes it difficult to see nearby objects. This is because the eyeball is shorter than normal or the cornea is too flat, preventing light from focusing properly. Hyperopia is often associated with astigmatism.

Treatments for Hyperopia

Glasses and contact lenses are an effective option for treating hyperopia. However, if you prefer something more permanent, you can opt for refractive surgery. This surgery uses lasers or incisions to reshape the cornea or lens to correct hyperopia.

How to Prevent Hyperopia?

Here are some ways to reduce your risk of developing hyperopia:

• Visit your ophthalmologist regularly for eye exams: your ophthalmologist can detect hyperopia in its early stages, when it is easier to correct.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking is one of the main factors that affects eye health.

Myopia

Myopia is a refractive error of the eye that makes it difficult to see distant objects. In people with myopia, the image of distant objects focuses before it reaches the retina, resulting in blurred vision. This usually occurs when the eye is longer than normal or when the cornea is too curved.

Treatments for Myopia

Treatment options to correct this refractive error include:

• Prescription glasses: The most common way to treat myopia is through the use of corrective lenses, either with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Corrective lenses help focus light on the retina properly, correcting blurred vision.
• Refractive surgery: There are different types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, which can permanently correct this refractive error by changing the shape of the cornea.
• Orthokeratology: This treatment involves wearing rigid contact lenses at night to temporarily reshape the cornea and correct vision during the day.

How to prevent myopia?

To prevent myopia, keep the following recommendations in mind:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes: it is important not to touch your eyes without washing your hands first. This will prevent you from introducing foreign particles that can cause irritation and contribute to the development of myopia.
• Regular eye exams: It is important to have regular eye exams to detect any changes in vision and receive appropriate treatment if necessary.

Do you have any vision problems? Find the best options for prescription glasses at Óptica Bassol. Schedule your appointment with our specialists!

Before assuming you have any disease or symptom, it is important to consult an expert to obtain an accurate and correct diagnosis. At Óptica Bassol, we have the best eye specialists in Barcelona.

Visit our website to find your nearest branch and schedule an appointment. We offer a complete optometric examination that includes:

• Visual acuity test.
• Objective refraction test.
• Subjective refraction test.
• Cover test.
• Ishihara test.
• PPC (near point of convergence) test.
• Tear test.
• Amsler grid.

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