Eye Infections
Think eye infections and 'sore eyes' or 'Conjunctivitis' immediately comes to mind. One of the most common infections in our city, it seems to have thousands of victims in its grip, particularly in the beginning of summer (which is now!) and towards the end of the monsoons. Conjunctivitis can be either bacterial or viral and symptoms include redness of the eyes which may or may not be accompanied by itching.
Treatment
Contrary to popular belief, home remedies aren't the most viable way to treat this problem. Under the supervision of a doctor, antibiotics and steroids (in some cases), may be prescribed.
Corneal Diseases
The term encompasses several conditions. However, one of the most common diseases of this nature is corneal opacity. Here, vision is compromised as the cornea becomes opaque following injury. Injury in most cases could come in the form of minute dust particles or infections that get aggravated due to self-medication.
Treatment
The use of eye-drops alone could alleviate this problem altogether. However, in extreme cases surgery may be required.
Retinal Detachment
If you were sleeping when your eighth standard science teacher was introducing you to the human eye, here's how it works: light first enters the cornea and is projected onto the retina (the light-sensitive tissue that lies against the inside back wall of your eye). The retina in turn sends messages via the optic nerve to your brain, where it is interpreted.
The retina gets its supply of oxygen and nutrients from a thin layer of blood vessels called the choroid, which lie directly beneath the retina. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina gets separated from the choroid. This condition is more likely to occur in near sighted individuals, those who have undergone a cataract removal procedure, people with a family history of detachment or those with other retinal degenerative conditions.
Symptoms
• The sudden appearance of many floaters in your field of vision that look like spots, hair or strings that seem to float before your eyes
• Sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes
• A shadow or curtain over a portion of your visual field
• A sudden blurring of vision.
Treatment
Surgery is the only effective therapy for a retinal tear, hole or detachment. If treated before the central part of the retina (macula) detaches, you'll probably retain much of your vision. If left untreated, it can cause permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.
Diabetic retinopathy
If you've got diabetes, always be on the guard for this condition that affects both eyes at once. Diabetic retinopathy results from damage to the blood vessels of the retina and can strike just about anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the higher is your risk factor.
Early diabetic retinopathy may be symptomless. As the disease progresses symptoms include:
• Spots floating in your line of vision
• Dark streaks or a red film that blocks vision
• Poor night vision
• Blurred vision or vision loss
Treatment
Start by controlling your blood sugar levels and scheduling yearly eye exams. If detected early you may need only laser to correct your vision. But in advanced cases, surgery may your best option.
Age-related macular degeneration
In this chronic condition, the tissue of the macula (the part of the retina responsible for central vision) deteriorates.
Symptoms
• The need for increasingly bright illumination when reading or doing close work
• Increasing difficulty adapting to low levels of illumination, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant
• Increasing blurriness of printed words
• A decrease in the intensity or brightness of colours
• Difficulty recognising faces
• Gradual increase in the haziness of your overall vision
• Blurred or blind spot in the centre of your visual field combined with a profound drop in your central vision acuity
• Visual distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy or crooked, a doorway or street sign that seems out of whack, or objects appearing smaller or farther away than they should.
Treatment
Treatment options largely aim at stopping the progress of the disease. The damage already caused by macular degeneration can't be reversed. The sooner it is detected, the better your chances of preserving what's left of your central vision. In some cases anti-oxidants may be prescribed and in other cases outpatient procedures can be performed.
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