Common Eye Diseases
There are many kinds of eye diseases and underlying conditions that can affect your eyes. Knowing the signs and symptoms can alert you when you may need treatment from an eye health professional.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids that causes red, burning, irritated eyes. There are many causes for blepharitis, but the most common are excessive skin bacteria, acne rosacea, and Demodex mites.
The inflammation can cause the tear film to become unbalanced, creating tears that evaporate too quickly and leaving the eyes feeling dry.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” is an inflammation of the whites of the eyes. Conjunctivitis is commonly caused by an allergic reaction, chemical reaction, or infection. When you have conjunctivitis, your eyes will feel gritty and watery, and they may produce excess amounts of discharge.
Different types of conjunctivitis need different treatments. Infectious conjunctivitis is extremely contagious and should be treated with antibiotics. If you’re experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis, you should visit your optometrist as soon as possible.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition that affects the centremost part of the retina, called the macula. There are 2 types of AMD, dry and wet.
Dry AMD is often conducive with the early stages of AMD, where the retinal tissues slowly degenerate, causing vision loss. Wet AMD can happen suddenly and is very severe. It’s caused by abnormal blood vessels in the eyes that leak blood and other fluids into the eye.
AMD often doesn’t show symptoms when in the early stages, so regular eye examinations can ensure the condition is caught early, when treatment can save your vision.
