Eye diseases can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Unfortunately, many eye diseases don’t show symptoms in their early stages, so by the time you begin to notice changes in your vision, you may have already suffered significant and irreversible vision loss.
Regular exams allow your optometrist to identify and monitor changes in your vision and eye health so that diseases can be detected and treated early on.
Your vision is your most valuable asset; don’t put it at risk. Book an appointment with your optometrist today.
Common Eye Diseases
Some eye diseases and conditions are more common than others. These include:
AMD is the leading cause of serious vision loss in patients over 50. AMD occurs when the macula, the portion of your retina responsible for color perception and detailed vision, degenerates over time. As AMD worsens, your central vision is slowly lost.
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, and occurs when the crystalline lens becomes cloudy and opaque. Though your optometrist can suggest workarounds to maximize your vision when you first begin to develop cataracts, the only treatment for cataracts is surgery.
Conjunctivitis, known as “pink eye”, occurs when the thin, transparent cover over the white of your eye (called the conjunctiva) becomes inflamed. This causes the delicate blood vessels in your eyes to become red and bloodshot, giving pink eye its name. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, a bacterial infection, or allergies.
Glaucoma causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, typically due to high intraocular pressure, but it can also occur when your eye pressure is normal. At Oakland Vision Center Optometry we test for glaucoma during every eye exam using both noncontact tonometry (the “air puff” test) and applanation tonometry, which uses a soft, flat tipped cone to gently touch your cornea measuring the amount of force needed to flatten it.
While most floaters are harmless, and caused by tiny pieces of tissue or protein floating around in the clear gel-like fluid that fills your eye (the vitreous) a sudden shower of floaters accompanied by bright flashes of light may indicate that you are experiencing a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Retinal detachments require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
