Eye Problems: When It's Time To See A Doctor
One of mans most precious and fully evolved senses
, vision is not something to be taken advantage of. In general, the eyes are well designed and do a good job of keeping themselves in good shape. If you experience any noticeable changes in your quality vision or pain in or around the eyes, its a good idea to tell your doctor.Throughout the course of a lifetime, even those lucky few who enjoy perfect vision will inevitably run into conditions that will warrant a visit to the doctor. The follow is a list of common eye problems you might one day face and the proper treatments you should seek to address them.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common causes of eye discomfort around the world. Seasonal allergies like hay fever as well as reactions from dust mites and pet dander can lead to itchy, red and swollen eyes, which can each be quite painful depending on the extent of the reaction. This type of allergy can normally be controlled with doctor prescribed antihistamines or other medications.
In some instances, certain types of medicines, especially those applied with an eye dropper, can lead to allergic reactions. In these instances, you should discontinue use of the medication and notify your doctor immediately.
Conjunctivitis
Also commonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis describes an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which includes the outer layer of the eye and inner surface of the eye lid. Symptoms include redness, irritation (including itching) and excess watering of the eye. These inflammations can be caused by chemicals or other irritants, a virus, bacteria or an allergic reaction.
The different causes of conjunctivitis warrant different medical attention and treatments. If you are ever unsure about potential causes, you should always contact your doctor for advice.
Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with the above mentioned antihistamines or anti inflammatory medications prescribed by a doctor.
Bacterial infections generally clear up without treatment but should be treated by prescribed antibiotics if no improvement is seen after three days.
Viral infections are usually very contagious and have no effective treatments, but almost always subside after a short time. A doctor visit is advised for both viral and bacterial types of infection for confirmation and further suggestions for treating symptoms.
Chemical conjunctivitis should be treated as a medical emergency and should be treated with a saline solution immediately and warrant a trip to the emergency room. Sever chemical burns can cause permanent eye damage.
Myopia and Hyperopia
Myopia, or near sightedness, and hyperopia, or far sightedness, are the most common types of vision degeneration affecting children and adults alike. These afflictions are usually treated with corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses.
Myopia is caused by a refractive error in the eye that causes distant objects to appear out of focus, but has no effect on close up images. It affects more than 25% of the population of the United States. It is generally thought to be hereditary and begins to affect most sufferers between the ages of 8 and 12, gradually worsening into adulthood.
Hyperopia is much less common and is characterized by the eyeball itself being too short. Sufferers can usually see distant objects clearly while nearby objects are blurred and unfocused. This type of imperfect vision usually affects patients from birth.
Astigmatism
Another problem that affects the ability of the eye to focus properly, astigmatism describes an irregularly shaped cornea or lens or the eye. Most of the population experiences some degree of astigmatism, but a smaller portion experiences case sever enough to require corrective lenses.
There are two types of astigmatism: regular and irregular. Regular astigmatism occurs when the cornea is oval shaped rather than a perfectly round, which makes it impossible for the eye to focus light into a sharp image on the retina. Irregular astigmatism may be caused by injuries or scarring and indicates dips or divots in the cornea.
Astigmatism can only be detected by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist with specialized equipment. While regular astigmatism can be treated with glasses or contacts with toric lenses, irregular astigmatism can only be treated with specially designed contact lenses that conform to the particular irregularities of the affected eye.
Regular eye checkups with a certified professional are the best way to sure your peepers are in tip top condition. Time between checkups should be between six months and a year and should never exceed 2 years.
If you ever notice any changes in your vision or experience symptoms like the ones detailed above, dont hesitate to visit your eye doctor. As with any health concern, vigilance and regular visits to the doctor can ensure youll enjoy great vision to a ripe old age.
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