Eye Diseases, Part 3
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, which leads to a progressive blurring or dimming of vision. It is the world’s leading cause of treatable blindness and among the most common conditions related to aging – by age 65, you have a 50 percent chance of developing a cataract, and, by age 75, it jumps to 70 percent.
A cataract starts out small and initially has little or no effect on vision. As the cataract progresses, it becomes harder to read and perform other normal tasks. In the early stages, your doctor may recommend stronger eyeglasses and adjusting your lighting to reduce glare. When cataracts disrupt your daily life, your doctor may recommend cataract surgery, which is one of the most frequent and successful procedures done in the U.S.
Conjunctivitis ( Red Eye or “Pink Eye”)
There are many causes of conjunctivitis including viral infections, bacterial infections, allergic reactions, and more. It is important to see your doctor to appropriately diagnosis and treat the cause of your condition.
Corneal Ulcer
Corneal ulcers are painful infections of the cornea that cause redness, sensitivity to light, and sometime discharge. They can be due to improper wear of contact lenses or other causes. It is important that they are treated promptly because they can cause scarring and vision loss.
Iritis/ Anterior Uveitis
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris and the adjacent tissue known as the ciliary body. It can be related to trauma, underlying inflammatory or autoimmune disease, or can be idiopathic. Symptoms include a red painful eye and sensitivity to light. It is treated with anti-inflammatory and dilating eye drops. When not treated, it can lead to more extensive and even permanent damage.