Eye problems can be genetic, lifestyle-related, age-related, caused by infections or accidents, and or by underlying medical conditions. Dr. Nikhil Nasta, at I Sight Eye Care and Surgery, Mumbai is here to introduce you to some common eye problems.
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- Myopia and Hypermetropia: Myopia is short-sightedness, people suffering from it cannot see objects at a distant clearly. Hypermetropia is long-sightedness, wherein people have trouble focusing on objects which are nearby. Both of these problems can be corrected using prescription glasses or contact lenses.
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- Dry Eye: Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes don’t make enough tears. There is a lack of lubrication in the eyes, resulting in a constant sensation of dryness, irritation, and soreness. This might be caused due to pre-existing medical conditions, decreased blink rate due to increased screen time, or even due to certain medications.
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- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is most commonly seen in geriatric patients. It is a class of diseases characterized by raised intraocular tension (i.o.t) within the eye. The optic nerve degenerates over the course of disease progression resulting in permanent loss of vision. Glaucoma is classified either as an open angle (more common) or angle closure glaucoma. Glaucoma has no permanent treatment, progression can be slowed down with eye drops and laser surgery.
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- Cataract: Cataracts develop over time and are not painful. They are caused due to the clouding of the clear lens in the eyes. Vision becomes blurry and unfocused. They can easily be removed by a simple surgical procedure followed by the use of prescription glasses.
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- Astigmatism: When the surface of the cornea is not spherical, the eye has difficulty in sharply focusing on objects. Affected people have blurred vision, and in severe cases, people experience headaches and tired eyes while trying to focus. Astigmatism can be corrected by prescription glasses.
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- Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is an infection of the clear tissue of the eyes, and it appears red and inflamed. There may also be some crusty discharge from the eyes. The infections may be due to viral or bacterial sources. Bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotic ointments or eye drops prescribed by medical professionals. To avoid the spread of infections it is advisable not to share eye products, washcloths, etc.
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- Sty (Stye): Stys appear as painful boils or lumps near the edge of the eyelid. It is an infection of the eye’s oil glands at the base of an eyelash. Symptoms involve redness, swelling, pain, and pustule formation. Treatment involves applying warm compresses on the affected area.
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- Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetics may suffer from a variety of complicated eye conditions. Diabetic Retinopathy, being of them, damages the blood vessels on the back of the retina. There are two types of Diabetic Retinopathy: Non-Proliferative Retinopathy, which is characterized by a “wet retina” due to bleeding of the retinal blood vessels and Proliferative Retinopathy, where there is a typical growth of blood vessels on the retina that bleeds into the vitreous humor and causes visual problems.
Regular eye check-ups help early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many common eye problems.
