What Are the Symptoms of Common Eye Diseases?

Your eyes are a valuable gift, so they deserve the best care. They help you see the world around you. But sometimes, your eyes can experience various symptoms and problems.

It is important to know the signs of common eye diseases. This way, you can get help early if you need it. Here are some common eye problems and how you might know if you have them.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes do not make enough tears. If you have this condition, your eyes might feel scratchy or burn. It might feel like you have sand in your eyes.
 

Your eyes might look unusually red, and your vision might be blurry. Bright lights might bother you more than usual. Your eyes might also discharge more sticky material than normal.
 

Cataracts

Cataracts make the lens in your eye cloudy. It is like looking through a foggy window. If you have cataracts, things might look blurry or cloudy. You might see double, especially in one eye.
 

Lights might bother you more, and colors might not look as bright as they used to. You might need to change your glasses more often and find it harder to see at night.
 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve in your eye. It is a tricky condition because you might not notice symptoms at first. That is why it is important to get your eyes checked regularly.
 

If you have glaucoma, you might start to lose your side vision. It might feel like you are looking through a narrow tube. Sometimes, your eye might hurt suddenly and severely. If this happens, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD affects the part of your eye that helps you see things in the center of your vision. If you have AMD, the center of your vision might be blurry or look wavy.
 

It might be harder to see in dim light, and colors might not look as bright. Also, you might have small areas in the center of your vision where you cannot see well.
 

Diabetic Retinopathy

This is a condition that can develop if you have diabetes. It affects the back of your eye. If you have this, you might see little spots or cobwebs floating in your vision. Your vision might be blurry, and you may experience bleeding in your eye. It might also be harder to see at night. This is a serious condition, and you need to see a doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to see an eye doctor. They can examine your eyes and tell you if something is wrong.

Remember, finding eye problems early can help prevent severe or permanent eye and vision problems. Even if you do not experience any symptoms, it is good to get your eyes checked regularly.

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

There are things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy, such as:
 

• Eat healthy food and stay hydrated.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
• If you smoke, try to stop because it is bad for your eyes.
• If eye diseases run in your family, inform your eye doctor. They might want to check your eyes more often.

Knowing the signs of eye problems can help you take care of them. If you notice any changes in how you see or how your eyes feel, consult an eye doctor.

For more on common eye diseases, visit Sight & Specs Optometry at our Queens, New York, office. Call (718) 470-2280 to schedule an appointment today.