Most people experience eye or vision problems at one time or another. Some are minor and usually vanish independently, while others require specialist care. It is best to remember that some severe eye conditions do not cause any pain. Never ignore any symptoms to prevent damage to your eyes or, worse, permanent and complete blindness.  

 

You should know the warning signs of common eye diseases to stay vigilant for early detection. You should alert your eye doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms. Regular eye exams can also help detect symptoms of eye disease. Some of the most common eye diseases and their warning signs include:

 

Age-related Macular Degeneration

AMD is an eye disorder that damages the macula and affects central vision. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss in individuals over 60. The eye condition can develop in one eye or both. 

 

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under your macula and leak fluid and blood. It leads to loss of central vision and damage to the macula. Dry AMD leads to the thinning of the macula, causing blurred central vision. 

 

Warning Signs

Unfortunately, you may not notice the symptoms of AMD until the latter stages of the condition. The first sign of AMD is often a distorted or blurred area in your field of vision. It can also make driving, watching TV, recognizing faces, or reading more difficult.

 

Other warning signs include seeing straight lines as crooked or wavy, colors seeming less bright, and objects appearing smaller.

 

Cataracts

A cataract is a lens clouding that can develop in one or both eyes. The condition is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of reversible vision loss in the United States. Cataracts can be present at birth or develop at any age but are more common in those over 50. 

Warning Signs

Some of the signs and symptoms of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision, light sensitivity, glare around lights, and changes in color perception. Other symptoms include trouble seeing at night, frequent prescription changes, and needing brighter light to read. 

Glaucoma

Abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve, causing glaucoma. The damage affects how the optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain. This eye disease can lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated. 

Warning Signs

Closed-angle glaucoma often happens suddenly and leads to vision loss very quickly. Open-angle glaucoma, on the other hand, develops gradually over time and may not affect your vision until the latter stages. 

So, it is crucial to diagnose and treat it early. Some warning signs include red eyes, headaches, eye pressure, blurred vision, blind spots, tunnel vision, and rainbow-colored halos around bright lights. 

 

Retinal Detachment

RD is a detachment or separation of the retina from the underlying tissue holding it in place within the eye. Retinal detachment is a severe eye condition that can lead to blindness if it remains untreated. 

Warning Signs

Depending on the severity of the retinal detachment, you may or may not experience symptoms. Some warning signs include seeing light flashes, dark areas in your vision, and dark spots or lines drifting across your field of vision.

Conclusion

Having healthy vision and eyes helps you interact with the world around you. Some common eye diseases are incurable, while others are easily treatable. However, early detection and treatment are necessary to prevent, correct, or slow the progression of most eye diseases. That is where regular comprehensive eye exams come in handy. 


 

For more information on common eye diseases and symptoms to watch out for, contact Giannotti Vision Care, Optometry, at our Scotts Valley, California office. Call (831) 438-4482 to schedule an appointment today.