Overview

Eye-related conditions include infections, refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. These can significantly impact vision and quality of life if left untreated.

Key Facts

The human eye perceives around 10 million colors and is highly sensitive; eye disorders affect all age groups. Globally, over 2.2 billion people suffer from vision impairment or blindness.

Causes

Vision problems can arise from aging, genetics, prolonged screen exposure, eye injuries, infections, chronic illnesses like diabetes, smoking, and poor eye hygiene.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, eye pain, redness, dryness, floaters, light sensitivity, headaches, and gradual or sudden loss of vision.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include family history of eye disease, aging, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, UV light exposure, prolonged screen time, and lack of regular eye check-ups.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves eye exams, visual acuity tests, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement, retinal imaging, and specialized tests like OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography).

Prevention

Prevention strategies include wearing sunglasses, limiting screen time, following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), maintaining good hygiene, and scheduling regular eye exams.

Celebs Affected

Several public figures have shared their struggles with eye disorders, such as Bono (glaucoma), Andrea Bocelli (blindness from congenital glaucoma), and Ray Charles (blindness due to glaucoma).

Specialist to Visit

Specialists include ophthalmologists (for medical and surgical eye care), optometrists (vision correction), and opticians (glasses/contact lenses). Retinal specialists and cornea specialists may also be required.

Treatment

• Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses: Correct refractive errors and improve vision.
• Medications: Prescription eye drops for glaucoma or infections.
• Laser therapy: For conditions like glaucoma or vision correction (LASIK).
• Surgery: Cataract surgery, corneal transplants, retinal procedures.
• Vision rehabilitation: Programs to improve functional vision and daily living.

Home-Care

Home care includes proper lighting while reading, reducing screen glare, maintaining hydration, using lubricating eye drops for dryness, eating an eye-healthy diet (rich in vitamin A, omega-3s), and practicing eye relaxation exercises.

Complications

Untreated eye conditions may lead to irreversible vision loss, blindness, chronic headaches, reduced independence, and increased risk of accidents or falls.

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies such as ayurvedic eye drops, herbal remedies, acupuncture, and yoga eye exercises may provide relief, though they should complement—not replace—medical care.

Living with

Living with vision problems requires adaptive strategies such as using magnifiers, screen readers, mobility training, support from caregivers, and emotional counseling to cope with daily challenges.

FAQs