Eye conditions are much more common than we think, as most people will have an eye problem at least once in their lifetime. Some eye conditions are minor and usually will not need an eye doctor. Others, on the other hand, are major and may affect your life forever, especially if left untreated. 

So, what are the common eye diseases?

Common Eye Conditions

Out of all the eye conditions that have ever been recorded, four are more common than others. These four can cause blindness or vision loss. They are:

Macular Degeneration

This is more commonly known as age-related macular degeneration and affects central vision. It occurs due to damage to the macula, the retina's center responsible for sharp visual focus. It is the most common reason for loss of vision among people 60 years and older. 

Macular degeneration can be of two main types, wet or dry. Wet macular degeneration results from abnormal growth of blood vessels underneath the macula. The blood vessels begin to leak fluid and blood, which deteriorate the macula.

Dry macular degeneration results from the thinning and reduction of central vision over a long time. Dry macular degeneration accounts for 70 to 90 percent of all reported cases.

Symptoms

• Dark or black spots in the center of your vision

• Blurred vision

• Straight lines look curvy
  
   

Cataracts

Cataracts are the second most common eye condition. They are the world's leading cause of blindness. They affect the eye's lens by clouding it, making it difficult for light to filter through. It occurs when the lens yellows and hardens because of proteins in the lens accumulating and collecting on the surface. 

 

You can get cataracts at any age, even at birth, but they are more common in older people. 

 

Symptoms

When you get cataracts, you will notice several changes in your sight. Your vision may become blurry, and you will see glare around lights, especially at night. Your eyes will become sensitive to bright lights, and you may need more light to be able to read. Colors will not seem the same, and you may need to change your eyeglasses or contacts more frequently.

 

Diabetic Retinopathy

It is a common eye condition that develops due to diabetes. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. 

 

It occurs due to damage to blood vessels in the retina from abnormal sugar levels. It usually does not present symptoms until it has developed to severe levels. Sometimes, the symptoms appear and disappear over time. 

 

Symptoms

• Distorted or blurred vision

• Faded colors

• Poor night vision

• Streaks or dark spots in your vision

• Trouble with distant vision or reading
  
   

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a series of eye conditions characterized by high ocular fluid pressure. The pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, affecting visual data transmission to the brain. If untreated, glaucoma usually leads to blindness. It is also hereditary.

Symptoms

If you develop glaucoma, you will notice a few things, like the feeling of eye pressure or pain. You may also get frequent headaches and red eyes. You may notice lights have a rainbow-colored halo around them. Your vision will deteriorate to blind spots, blurry vision, tunnel vision, and low vision. You may also experience nausea and vomiting.

For more information on common eye diseases and their main symptoms, contact 20/20 EyeVenue at our office in Westminster, Colorado. Call (720) 740-0400 to book an appointment today.