Did you know that over 4.2 million Americans over 40 years old are either legally blind or with low vision? The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the USA are due to age-related eye diseases and other common eye disorders.

Because of that, it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly from places like Dr. Tavel, who also offers an affordable eye exam. Besides eye checkups, you also need to be aware of the common diseases that affect overall eye health, which we’ll explain below.

1. Macular Degeneration

Over 10 million people in the USA would experience macular degeneration, which has more cases than glaucoma and cataracts combined.

This condition occurs when the retina’s central portion, the macula, damages over time. As of writing, macular degeneration is incurable. The common symptoms of this condition include blurry vision, partial vision loss, things looking smaller than they are, and issues seeing in dim light.

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned, you must have your eyes checked with an eye doctor in Avon immediately.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects over half the American population over 65 years old. People with this condition would have a visually impairing cataract in one or both eyes, occurring when eyes form clumps, preventing the lenses from sending any information to the retina.

Eye doctors can see cataracts as a formation of a cloudy and dense area in the eye lens. If this happens, then light cannot pass through the retina, so patients can’t see things in front of them clearly.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma happens when a patient’s eye experiences a damaged optic nerve, usually from increased pressure or fluid buildup from inside the eye. As a result, the condition restricts optic nerves from sending images to the patient’s brain.

This pressure buildup can lead to permanent loss of vision if left untreated for a long period. Note that this condition can progress quickly, rendering patients blind within a few years.

The common glaucoma symptoms include:

·  Red eyes

·  Halos around the eyes

·  Blurry eyes

·  Peripheral vision loss

·  Tunnel vision

4. Dry Eyes Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is due to a lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the patient’s eyes. Some patients can experience subtle but constant irritation around the eyes. Others might experience inflammation, which leads to scarring on the eye’s front surface.

People wearing contact lenses are at a higher risk of dry eyes, along with older people.

5. Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a rare condition wherein one’s retina becomes detached from its place.  It can happen gradually, with small areas tearing before the whole retina detaches. This can affect your vision, and the longer it’s left untreated, the higher the risk of complete vision loss.

The warning signs include blurred vision, a curtain-like shadow in the field of vision, and sudden appearances of light flashes.

In Conclusion

If you haven’t had your eyes checked by a reputable eye doctor for a while now, it’s best to set an appointment to prevent or treat disorders early on.