|
Eye diseases and infections are extremely common, so it’s important to book an eye test and look after your vision. Most conditions can be easily cured, but it’s best to discuss any abnormalities with an optometrist in case you need medical assistance. Here are four eye problems explained: Dry eyes It’s thought that one in five of us will experience overly dry eyes at some point in our lives, making it a very common problem. Symptoms include redness, itchiness or a feeling that your eyes are gritty or warm – making it hard to wear contact lenses. If the tear duct fails to produce enough liquid throughout the day, or if the tears produced evaporate too quickly, the eyes can feel very sore. Various eye drops and ointments can ease the problem but it’s best to consult a specialist. Red eye If the white of your eye turns red in colour or looks rather bloodshot, you may have something known as red eye. The discoloration of your eyeball can look rather terrifying but it’s usually nothing serious. Red eye can be caused by a number of eye infections including conjunctivitis or might be a side effect of an inflammatory condition known as blepharitis. A burst blood vessel known as a subconjunctival haemorrhage can also leave the eye looking red but will normally resolve itself. Glaucoma and keratitis are two more serious causes of red eye, so visit your opticians if you’re worried. Floaters If you notice small black dots or thin black strands drifting across your vision, you might have floaters. This is a common eye condition caused by slight changes to the vitreous jelly in the eye (the gel found between the lens and retina). Tiny bits of debris cast shadows on the retina and it’s these dark patches that you can see. They can’t be removed by rubbing or scratching the eye and can last a lifetime. They usually appear with age but do not spread from eye-to-eye and are not usually dangerous. The only time you should worry is if you see a sudden increase of floaters or experience pain. Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease in the western hemisphere and can leave the eyes feeling itchy, inflamed and sore. It’s caused with the outer layer of the eye (known as the conjunctiva) becomes inflamed and affects people of all ages. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are particularly contagious whereas allergic conjunctivitis is aggravated by things like dust mites, perfumes and cosmetics. Conjunctivitis usually clears up by itself but antibiotics are often prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis. Eye conditions can often seem worse than they actually are, but it’s important to get checked out by an optometrist.
Related Articles -
| 
