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Common Eye Conditions
Listed below are details of common eye conditions. Click on the link for more information.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the part of your eye called the lens. A cataract is not a growth or a film over the eye. It is very common and is usually caused by the simple process of getting older. Almost everyone over the age of 60 years has some degree of cataract formation in one or both of their eyes. Eye injuries, diabetes, or other diseases and certain medications can contribute to their formation.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the term used to describe a group of eye diseases which damage the optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. If left untreated glaucoma can result in blindness. In the more common forms of glaucoma there is increased pressure in the eye which presses on the optic nerve and causes a gradual loss of peripheral vision.
Retinal Conditions
The retina is the delicate lining at the back of the eye where the image you see of the world is formed and transmitted to the brain.
Under certain conditions, especially with advancing age, the clear gel-like fluid which fills the eye can begin to recede. As it does, it sometimes pulls the retina along with it, tearing minute holes in the fragile membrane.Common Eye Conditions
- Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common, chronic inflammation of the eyelid.
There is often a sandy or itchy feeling of the eyes, especially in the morning. There is usually a redness, as well as inflammation of the eyelid with scaling, deposits or discharge.
- Chalazion
A chalazion is a chronic inflammation of a gland in the upper or lower lid. Often the affected area can become swollen, painful and inflamed until a cyst forms. There may be blurring of vision caused by pressure from the cyst distorting the eye.
- Diabetic Eye Disorder People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to suffer blindness than the general population. People with diabetes have a unique disease called diabetic retinopathy that affects the retina, which is like the camera film of the eye. This is a disease of the small blood vessels supplying the retina.
- Dry Eye A dry eye, referred to as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, is one without enough tears.This deficiency gives rise to chronic irritation, which can cause damage to the cornea and in severe cases corneal scarring. Often there is a burning or gritty feeling and itchy discomfort of the eyes. There may be episodes of excessive tearing, mucous discharge or blurred vision.
- Floaters Floaters are usually seen as flies, specks, cobwebs or hair-like strands moving across the vision. They are due to particles floating in the vitreous body (a jelly-like substance in the back of the eye).
- Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration is the most common cause of decreased reading or detailed vision and usually affects people over 50 years of age. It can cause distortion of central vision and decreased colour vision. Side vision (peripheral vision), is not affected by macular degeneration.
- Pinguecula A pinguecula is a yellowish patch or bump on the white of the eye.
- Pterygium A pterygium is a fleshy growth that invades the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It is an abnormal process in which the conjunctiva (a membrane that covers the white of the eye) grows into the cornea. Pterygia may be small or grow large enough to interfere with vision. It commonly occurs on the inner corner of the eye.
- Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common, chronic inflammation of the eyelid.
