For most people, the expectation is that they will have eye diseases and conditions at one time or another. The CDC estimates that over 4 million Americans above 40 years are either blind or experiencing a poor vision. Blindness and low vision are mainly a consequence of eye problems related to aging. Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, provides diagnosis and treatment of age-related eye issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, muscular degeneration, blurred vision, lazy eye, and bloodshot eyes.
For instance, bloodshot eyes, also known as eye redness, are a common condition resulting from allergies, dry eyes, overwearing contact lenses, and conjunctivitis. On the other hand, when you have cataracts, you experience clouding of the lens of your eye. Your doctor may recommend cataract surgery, which replaces the cloudy lens with a transparent artificial lens.
Because of the importance of your eyes, strive to keep them healthy and monitor any changes to minimize your risk of vision problems. One of the best ways you can ensure your eyes are healthy is by visiting your eye doctor regularly so that there is early detection and treatment of signs of trouble. Consequently, below are some common signs and symptoms of potential eye diseases and conditions.
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Redness in your eye
If your eye becomes red, it means the small blood vessels in the eye are swelling, leading to the sclera appearing pink or red. The sclera is the white part of your eye, covering a large section of your eyeball.
The causes of red eyes may include infection, injury, or a condition. Some common eye conditions associated with eye redness are pink eye, eyelid inflammation, and inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of your eye.
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Nyctalopia
Naturally, your eyes can adjust to seeing in dark and well-lit places. But, when you have the condition known as night blindness, you cannot see well in poorly illuminated spaces or environments.
Night blindness is often a symptom of an underlying eye disease or condition such as nearsightedness, glaucoma, cataracts, and diseases affecting the retina.
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Headache
A headache may affect different regions of your head and often disappear on its own or after you take over-the-counter medication. If the pain in your head persists, refer the matter to your doctor.
Headache may be due to eye conditions or diseases like acute angle closure glaucoma, refractive errors, and ultraviolet keratitis. Ultraviolet keratitis is often a temporary and painful eye condition caused by excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
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Sensitivity to light
You are sensitive to light when the light in your environment is excessively bright, causing discomfort and reduced usable vision. The condition is also called photophobia.
If bright lights hurt your eyes, you may have conditions such as scratched eyes, cloudy eye lenses, an imbalance in the position of your eyes, and conical cornea.
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Excess tears
It is common for you to produce excess tears temporarily when vomiting, yawning, laughing, coughing, emotional, and experiencing stronger sensations of taste.
However, excessive production of tears that lasts longer may indicate eye irritation or inflammation. That may be due to allergies, infections, tear-duct blockage, or dry eye.
