Eye Health 101: What Those Terms Really Mean
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a very common condition that can have many different causes, among them are age, allergies, injuries, and disease. It is best to be treated by an eye doctor for this, because they can perform procedures or prescribe medications that are much more effective than trying to select from a confusing array of drops at the drugstore which can sometimes worsen the condition.
Floaters
Floaters are a common condition where dark specs are seen in your vision. Even though in most cases they are benign, it is best to discuss them with your eye doctor. If they appear suddenly, are accompanied by flashes of light, or if part of your vision is blurred, distorted, or missing, immediate attention should be sought, since this can indicate a serious sight-threatening condition.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The cloudiness usually causes various degrees of blurred vision and prescription change is usually seen. Cataracts are usually caused by aging. However, ultraviolet exposure is a known contributing factor as well as poor diet, smoking, and trauma. Your eye doctor can easily diagnose this condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure of the fluid in the eye is too great. Most of the time it can go unnoticed until it is too late because symptoms are few while the disease is in its early stages. It is something that should be checked for at yearly eye exams so that it can be caught early to avoid as much vision loss as possible.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is a serious condition where you lose your central vision. It becomes more common with age and dramatically lessens your ability to see details. Fortunately, treatments are available that may halt or lessen the effects of this disease, which is why it is important to have regular eye exams and to seek vision care whenever changes in your vision are noticed.
Color Deficiency
Color deficiency is more commonly seen in males than in females. It is usually hereditary. In some cases, it can be caused by disease or injury. Individuals who have this condition usually are not colorblind because they can still see colors, except they have varying degrees of inability to tell the difference between certain colors like red and green.
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery uses a cool laser to reshape the surface of the eye. It is mostly used to help nearsightedness and astigmatism, along with some farsightedness. It is best to realize that although it will permanently change your vision, it will not necessarily prevent you from needing glasses or contacts in the future. This is because it will not prevent your eyes from changing. It is best to consult your eye doctor to determine if you are a good candidate, and to make sure you research the laser center where you have the procedure, to ensure your satisfaction.