Common Eye Disorders

Understanding common eye disorders, recognizing their symptoms, and seeking professional eye care can help protect your vision for the long term. Many eye diseases develop gradually and may not show noticeable symptoms in their early stages, making regular eye exams at Eyedeal Vision essential for early detection and treatment.
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What Is an Eye Disorder?

An eye disorder is any condition that affects the structure, function, or clarity of vision. These disorders can be caused by genetics, aging, injury, environmental factors, or underlying health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. Some conditions develop gradually over time, while others may appear suddenly.

Eye disorders can impact different parts of the eye, including:

• The cornea (outermost layer responsible for focusing light)

• The lens (controls focus and clarity)

• The retina (converts light into neural signals)

• The optic nerve (transmits signals to the brain for visual processing)

• The tear film (keeps the eye lubricated and clear)
  
  

Refractive Errors (Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia)

Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. These errors are the most common vision problems and often require corrective lenses.

Symptoms:

• Nearsightedness (Myopia): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly

• Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Blurry vision for close-up tasks

• Astigmatism: Distorted or blurred vision at any distance

• Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty focusing on close objects
  
  

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tear quality is poor, leading to irritation and discomfort. This condition is increasingly common due to excessive screen use, aging, and environmental factors.

Symptoms:

• Gritty, burning, or stinging sensation in the eyes

• Redness and irritation

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurred vision that improves with blinking

• Watery eyes
  
  

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This damage is irreversible, making early detection crucial.

Symptoms:

• Open-angle glaucoma (most common): Gradual loss of peripheral vision, often unnoticed until advanced stages

• Angle-closure glaucoma (less common but urgent): Sudden eye pain, nausea, headaches, and vision loss
  
  

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to progressive vision impairment. It is one of the most common age-related eye conditions.

Symptoms:

• Cloudy or blurry vision

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Increased sensitivity to bright lights or glare

• Colors appearing faded or yellowed
  
  

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.

Symptoms:

• Blurred or distorted central vision

• Dark or empty spots in vision

• Straight lines appearing wavy

• Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
  
  

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause these vessels to leak, swell, or close off, leading to vision loss.

Symptoms:

• Dark spots or floaters in vision

• Blurred or fluctuating vision

• Impaired color vision

• Vision loss in severe cases
  
  

The Role of Regular Eye Exams in Early Detection

Regular eye exams are essential for detecting and managing eye disorders before they progress to severe stages. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, do not show symptoms in early stages, making routine check-ups critical for prevention. We recommend annual eye exams, especially for adults over 40 or those with risk factors like diabetes or a family history of eye disease.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Typically Include:

• Visual acuity tests to assess clarity of vision

• Tonometry to measure intraocular pressure (detects glaucoma)

• Dilated eye exams to evaluate the retina and optic nerve

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect macular degeneration and glaucoma

At Eyedeal Vision, Dr. Derrick Badaracco and his team are dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages. Whether you need a routine check-up, treatment for an existing condition, or new glasses, we are here to help.