The eye is the most important sensory organ in the body, considering its attachment to the nervous system. Studies show that about 80% of a normal human being conceived from the eyes. This means that one has to take good care of the eyes to reduce the odds of becoming blind and losing certain crucial factors attributed to vision. In research conducted by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4 million Americans between the ages of 40 and above are dealing with partial or full blindness. These statistics exclude those initially considered blind either through birth or at their early age.
There are various kinds of eye disorders and diseases that everyone needs to watch out for to uphold a good sense of sight, including Vitreoretinal disease. One of the most common eye-related questions is, “what is Vitreoretinal disease?” This post briefly touches on the condition.
What is Vitreoretinal disease?
As the name suggests, this disease affects the lining at the back of the eye called the retina. The retina has the task of transmitting light through the optic, never to the brain that gets transformed into what we perceive as vision. The part that makes the image look sharper is called the macula, and it lies at the center of the retina. A gel-like clear vitreous fluid lies in the section between the retina and the lens. When Vitreoretinal disease hits the eye, it could affect the retina’s entire structures and those surrounding it, such as the macula. Since the macula is the surface where the light hits to make a clear vision, a Vitreoretinal disease on this part could either cause a temporary or permanent diminution of vision. It is therefore vital to take quick action one realizes one of the following symptoms of the disease;
- Flashing lights
- Sudden vision loss
- Extreme sensitivity when the eye comes into contact with light
- Diminishing vision centrally or in the periphery
- Night blindness
- Acute eye pain
- Printed words becoming difficult to read due to distortion
- Experiencing wavy lines in the central vision
How to Treat Vitreoretinal Disease
Once an individual experiences the above-stated symptoms, it is considered to seek an experienced and competent ophthalmologist’s attention before things get out of hand. Since the disease could lead to permanent blindness, quick response to the condition could save one’s ability to see. Primarily, the treatment of Vitreoretinal disease involves a process aimed at upholding the vision and diminishing vision deterioration. Depending on the severity of the condition and the retinal area affected, the doctor will apply different treatment approaches. In most cases, medication is enough to support the vision. However, when the retina is badly damaged or detached, the doctor will undertake a minor surgery to correct the issue.
What is Presbyopia?
This is the gradual loss of the ability of an eye to focus on close objects. Since it is a natural condition, it manifests when one continues to age. The ideal period to start watching out for this condition is in the early 40s to about age 60. One way of identifying whether one has presbyopia is by checking how they hold their newspapers or books while reading. Most of the people who suffer from this condition would put the book further from their eyes. Typically, a simple eye examination from the local eye hospital is enough to identify presbyopia. Treatment involves putting on contact or eyeglasses to correct the condition. In rare cases, a patient will have to undergo minor surgery. Other common symptoms of this disease include;
- Blurred vision even at close range.
- Headaches during or after reading.
- The trend of reading while holding the material further from the eye.
Factors that Causes Presbyopia
The eye organ comprises the cornea and lens that aids in a compelling vision. The cornea is one of the most crucial parts of the eye that helps form images while the lens focuses the light reflected from the given object. Presbyopia occurs when the lens becomes hard, something that happens as a person gets old. Since the hardening affects the lens’s flexibility to focus light from different objects, this hinders its focus on close items. Therefore more relative images will appear out of focus.
Seeking Medical Attention
The best time to see the doctor is when the blurriness of one’s vision hinders them from having the quality reading time or undertaking certain activities. A competent doctor will determine whether the condition is presbyopia and will issue appropriate advice.
Finally
The bottom line remains that everyone with a sense of sight needs to take good care of their eyes to avoid the hassle of living with blindness when things get out of hand. Being keen on signs and symptoms of common eye disorders and diseases is crucial.
