New Eye Conditions You May Not Know About

If you’re like most people, you don’t think much about your eyes until they start to bother you, but that could be dangerous if you have an undiagnosed eye condition because it could worsen to the point of vision loss or permanent disability. Here are five eye conditions that you may not have heard of, but still affect millions of people around the world every year

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

According to Dr. Anna Pletcher of Optometrists Association, age-related macular degeneration is not a condition, but a group of conditions that affect vision in different ways. Age-related macular degeneration often develops slowly and can cause blurred or distorted vision. Macular degeneration is most common in people over 50 years old; however, it can develop earlier than that, as well as later in life. The causes are unknown and there are currently no effective treatments for age-related macular degeneration. Macular Degeneration Symptoms: For most people with macular degeneration, visual symptoms such as distortion of straight lines (or objects appearing tilted), wavy lines or dark holes appear when central vision is affected by abnormal blood vessels growing under your retina. Blurred central vision, called blind spots may also occur. Once you have diagnosed yourself with AMD, if any of these eye symptoms occur at any time after diagnosis, see an eye care professional immediately. If you do notice a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes—regardless of what may have caused it—contact your eye doctor or emergency department immediately. There are many other possible causes besides AMD that need to be ruled out first before treatment begins. How Do I Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration? There is no way to prevent AMD from occurring; however there are some ways you can reduce risk factors associated with developing AMD.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of an eye’s lens, caused by either injury or aging. The lens is located behind your iris and pupil, and serves to focus light on your retina so you can see images clearly. When a cataract develops, it can cause blurry vision as well as impaired color perception and night vision. Cataracts are most common in people over age 65, but they can also develop at any age, particularly in those who smoke or have diabetes or high blood pressure. Although there’s no cure for cataracts, there are surgical procedures that replace a clouded lens with an artificial one. If you suspect you may be developing cataracts, visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive exam. If surgery will help, he or she will discuss treatment options with you.

Throughout life as our bodies change we need to adjust what we eat and how much we eat to make sure everything is balanced out... We all know fats, proteins and carbohydrates are important parts of our daily diet; but there’s another category of foods that brings crucial nutrients into our lives: superfoods! Superfoods aren't a fad diet like Atkins or South Beach - they're defined more loosely as foods that deliver far more nutrition than typical filler foods do; many of them actually pack way more nutrients per calorie than other foods do.

Eye Migraines

The migraine isn’t just a headache. Commonly known as migraine with aura, it is accompanied by neurological changes such as numbness or weakness in one side of your body. Though typically painless, an eye migraine can cause vision changes, including blurred vision and blind spots in your visual field. In rare cases, a patient may also experience tunnel vision or temporary blindness during an attack. If you are experiencing persistent eye pain along with unusual visual symptoms like flashes of light or blind spots, ask your ophthalmologist about getting tested for a migraine with aura. Also ask if you could benefit from preventive therapy to minimize how often they occur (in most patients they decrease over time). About 1% of Americans have migraine with aura on average each year and they are more common in women than men. Migraine attacks usually start between adolescence and early adulthood, but many people don't have them until later in life. They tend to become less frequent throughout adulthood before increasing again when approaching middle age. This is referred to as the migraine cycle. People who haven't had any migraines since their teenage years may be able to treat themselves by avoiding triggers instead of taking medication daily. Those who continue to get migraines might need medication—there are several types that work well for preventing migraines (including beta blockers like propranolol) but only about 25% will respond favorably to medication alone without lifestyle changes.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a type of eye disease that affects people with diabetes. It causes blurry vision, poor night vision, and loss of side vision. Symptoms can include mild pain or floaters. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. However, it’s treatable if detected early and managed properly. Regular eye exams are recommended for people with diabetes. Be sure to tell your doctor about all other health conditions you have; treatment for other conditions may need to be adjusted because you have diabetes.

Glaucoma

A chronic disease of increased pressure in the eye that damages nerve fibers and can cause damage to retinal ganglion cells, which carry visual information from your retina to your brain. Glaucomatous visual field loss is a common symptom of glaucoma and may develop slowly or rapidly; eventually, you'll lose peripheral vision if it's not treated. The disease is caused by either an inherited defect in cell transport mechanisms within retinal ganglion cells or by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which causes optic nerve damage over time. The use of eyedrops can help prevent IOP spikes, thereby slowing glaucomatous visual field loss. In cases where you have significant visual impairment, surgery may be necessary. Dr Liptak at Liptak Vision Clinic can provide treatment options for patients with glaucoma. Our services include Lasik laser eye surgery and cataract removal procedures like phacoemulsification . Call us at 1-800-766-0139 for more information about our services and to schedule an appointment with Dr Liptak.