The Importance Of Detecting And Managing These Common Eye Diseases

Looking after your eyes at all stages of life is very important, but even more so as you get older. This is because as you reach a certain age, you’re more at risk of developing some eye conditions and diseases due to the natural ageing process. Some of the most common eye diseases are age-related, for example cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Detecting these diseases early on is crucial, as the earlier it’s caught the easier it is to manage it before it can get worse. 

In this blog post we will be discussing the most common eye conditions and how we can detect and manage them. 

Common eye diseases 

Below are some of the most common eye diseases and the signs and symptoms to look out for. Even if you think there is nothing wrong with your vision, it’s always best to have a routine eye exam every now and again, as some of these diseases can go undetected for a long time. 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that happens when the damage occurs to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss, but this isn’t always the case. A major risk factor involves the intraocular pressure within the eye. If there is too much pressure due to a drainage problem, this pressure can build up and damage the optic nerve. 

Glaucoma can be difficult to detect, in fact most people are unaware they have glaucoma until they get their eyes tested. Opticians can detect glaucoma using a variety of equipment and tests, most commonly a tonometry test. A tonometer measures the pressure of your eye, which can indicate glaucoma.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

AMD is an eye condition that results in loss of central vision. This eye condition occurs when there is damage done to the macular. This damage happens due to age. Symptoms include: blurry vision, loss of central vision, blind spot in central vision, and difficulty recognising faces. 

Diabetic retinopathy

This eye condition results in complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy happens when blood sugar levels cause damage to the eye’s retina, which can result in vision loss. Symptoms of this condition include:sudden vision loss, floaters, eye pain, blurry vision . 

How we detect and treat these eye conditions

Here at R Woodfall, our expert opticians can detect and help manage various eye diseases. It’s very important that you visit your local optician annually, especially if you’re over the age of 40. As some eye diseases such as glaucoma can only be detected by an optician. 

Opticians use equipment such as an OCT scanner to fully examine all areas of your eyes and look for any abnormalities. An OCT scan uses light waves to take 3D images of your eye in its entirety, resulting in accurate pictures of the structure of your eye for your optician to examine.
If you have any concerns about your eye health, please contact us today or visit your local optician.

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