Common Types of Corneal Diseases

The cornea of your eye is integral to your ability to see. While the cornea of the eye appears fragile and easily damaged, you will be surprised to learn it is just as strong and stiff as a fingernail. 

Unfortunately, many diseases can impact the health of the cornea. To protect the health of your eyes, you need to learn about these conditions and see Elite Vision Centers if symptoms develop. 

Understanding Corneal Disease

Corneal disease is a broad term that umbrellas multiple degenerations, infections, and disorders. Although the cornea can often heal itself after minor injuries and infection, serious disorders require immediate and sometimes ongoing care. 

What Are the Common Corneal Disease Symptoms?

Corneal diseases sometimes do not cause any outward signs until major damage begins to occur. The following are some of the common symptoms you may develop with corneal disease. 

  • Soreness or pain
  • Blurry vision
  • Severe sensitivity to light
  • Redness
  • Scarring of the cornea

If you notice any of the above symptoms, do not delay scheduling an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Prompt treatment is essential for all types of cornea conditions. 

Common Types of Corneal Diseases

Understanding the types of corneal diseases will help you protect the health of your eyes. The following offers information on these diseases. 

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs after an eye infection. Rarely, this disease may occur as a result of wearing contact lenses. Keratitis is treated with antifungals or antibiotics. The following are some of the symptoms of keratitis. 

  • Increasing pain
  • Discharge coming from the cornea
  • Reduction in visual clarity
  • Increased light sensitivity

Ocular Herpes

Ocular herpes, or herpes of the eye, is a reoccurring condition. This infection causes sores to develop on the surface of the cornea which eventually results in scarring. While there is no cure for this disease, it can remain under control with antivirals. 

Shingles of the Eye

Shingles is a viral condition that affects people who have had the chickenpox virus. After an outbreak, the virus remains dormant in the nerve tissue. The virus sometimes reactivates and can travel down the nerve pathways and cause blistering lesions. 

When the cornea becomes blistered, severe scarring may occur. If shingles break out near the eye, individuals need to see an eye doctor as soon as possible to reduce the severity and protect against corneal damage.

Corneal Dystrophies

Corneal dystrophies are diseases that affect the structure of the cornea. Medical scientists have identified twenty types of corneal dystrophy conditions. The following are some of the more common types of corneal dystrophy

  • Keratoconus
  • Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy
  • Fuch’s dystrophy
  • Lattice dystrophy

How Is Corneal Disease Diagnosed?

An ophthalmologist will perform a thorough examination of the eye to determine if corneal disease is present. There are multiple tests that check the cornea, including corneal topography. 

Corneal topography measures and maps the cornea to determine its shape and ensure it is normal. This test is painless and is often used to check for Keratoconus. Slit-lamp exams are also beneficial. 

For many corneal diseases, the doctor will simply need to view the cornea through a slit lamp that illuminates the front of the eye. With a light on the cornea, the doctor can check for scarring, lesions, and other signs of disease. 

Corneal Disease Can Often Be Prevented

While not all corneal conditions can be prevented, many can. Protecting your eyes from injuries and infection is integral. 

Corneal eye conditions cause damage to the cornea and can lead to visual disturbances and pain. Common types of corneal diseases include shingles, keratitis, and dystrophy. 

If you notice any of the symptoms of corneal disease, see your eye doctor right away for treatment. Prompt treatment is the best way to prevent permanent damage to the cornea or other structures of the eye.

Medical Conditions That Affect Eye Health

The health of your eyes is directly related to the soundness of your entire body as a whole. Poor health can lead to problems with normal eye function. Unfortunately, some medical conditions can affect the health of the eyes. Learning about these conditions will help you protect your vision. 

Protecting Your Eyes Is Paramount

While shielding your eyes from trauma and too much sun are important, your eye health is ultimately determined by your general health. What you put into your body, how much you exercise, and how often you visit the eye doctor are all instrumental to your eye health. 

Medical Conditions Can Affect the Health Of Your Eyes

Many health conditions can affect your eyes. Even health disorders unrelated to the eye may interfere with your vision. Understanding these diseases and how they can impact your eyesight is vital. 

Diabetes

Chronically high blood sugar levels are damaging to the blood vessels of the eye. Those with diabetes may develop diabetic retinopathy. This condition causes the blood vessels of the eye to leak into the retina. 

As the leaks worsen, damage begins to occur. Serious vision loss may transpire, and some people have gone blind from the damage caused by diabetes. A diabetic also has a greater risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts. 

If you are a diabetic, keeping your blood sugar levels under control is critical for the protection of your eyes. You should also have regular eye exams to check for the conditions above. 

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is also a danger to your eye health. With chronically high blood pressure comes damage to the blood vessels in and around your eyes. Injury to these vessels could lead to vision problems and eye diseases such as retinopathy.

Taking your blood pressure medications as recommended and working on lifestyle changes will help keep your blood pressure under control. See the eye doctor for regular eye exams to ensure no blood vessel damage has arisen.

Measles

Many people do not realize measles can affect the eyes. Although this condition is avoidable for most people, because of vaccines, there are still cases circulating around the world. 

Measles can get into the eyes and cause conjunctivitis. As a result, you could suffer from cornea damage, infections, and damage to the optic nerve. You could also lose your eyesight. Make sure you are vaccinated to avoid measles.

Liver Disease

You may not realize the importance of your liver health until problems begin to arise. If you are diagnosed with cirrhosis, your liver is not the only part of your body that will suffer. 

Liver diseases can lead to chronically dry eyes. If left untreated, corneal and lens damage may occur that could impact your vision. If you suffer from liver disease and dry eye, see your eye doctor right away for treatment. 

Sickle Cell Disease

Those suffering from sickle cell disease have an increased risk of developing blood vessel damage in their eyes. The resulting retinopathy can cause vision disturbances and even blindness. Routine eye checks will ensure no blood vessel damage is occurring.

Autoimmune Disorders

Most people know autoimmune disorders cause the body to attack itself because it views parts of the body as threats. Eye problems are one of the first signs of autoimmune diseases. 

People may develop redness, itchiness, and chronic dryness in their eyes. You could also experience vision loss, so it is important to see your eye doctor regularly for checkups. 

Protect Your Eyes at All Times

Many health conditions can impact the health of your eyes, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver disease. These medical conditions cause eye damage that can eventually lead to vision disturbances or blindness. 

To protect the health of your eyes, make sure to eat a healthy diet and get an abundance of exercise. If you have any of the above medical conditions, follow your doctor’s instructions to keep them under control. 

See your eye doctor for annual eye exams. Your eye doctor will help you protect your vision. 

What Is Computer Vision Syndrome?

To prevent computer vision syndrome, you need to know exactly what causes it. You should also know how long does it lasts and how to treat it. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of computer vision syndrome. Symptoms of computer vision syndrome can lead to other issues, such as vision loss and eye strain. In some cases, the symptoms of computer vision syndrome may even be related to the computer you’re using.

Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms

The American Optometric Association estimates that half to ninety percent of computer users suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (also called Digital Eye Strain). While it doesn’t have any permanent effects, prolonged use of a digital screen can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and pain. The Vision Council estimates that over 200 million people in the United States experience computer vision syndrome after two hours of screen time. Those who have underlying eye conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, may be more susceptible to developing the syndrome.

The first and most common symptom of CVS is eye pain. If you wear glasses, you may find yourself tilting your head or bending toward the screen to see the computer screen clearly. These types of poor posture can lead to muscle spasms and pain in the back, shoulder, and neck. The problem is that the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome develop when the visual demands are greater than your eyes’ ability to handle them. The risk of developing the condition increases with age, and people who spend two or more hours working on a computer screen each day are most likely to suffer from the condition.

Computer Vision Syndrome Causes

The American Optometric Association has studied the causes of computer vision syndrome, or CVS. Long periods spent working at a computer can lead to eye strain and even vision problems. Children and adults who spend long periods using a computer are particularly at risk for CVS. The symptoms of CVS include headaches, tired eyes, blurred vision, and back pain. This condition can occur to any person who spends more than two hours per day in front of a computer.

There are several causes of computer vision syndrome, ranging from muscle strain to unsuitable environments. Ultimately, the condition is caused by overworked eye muscles. Additionally, the condition can affect the head, neck, and face muscles. However, despite the symptoms of CVS, it is not permanent eye damage. In some people, it is possible to prevent the symptoms of CVS by changing the environment in which you work. Listed below are some helpful hints for preventing CVS.

How Long Does Computer Vision Syndrome Last?

If you spend most of your day in front of a computer, you may be suffering from computer vision syndrome. This syndrome, also known as Digital Eye Strain, is a group of vision and eye problems caused by prolonged use of digital screens. A typical symptom is eye discomfort, which increases in proportion to the amount of time you spend in front of a computer. Some symptoms of computer vision syndrome include double vision, blurred vision, and black spots.

You can get rid of your computer vision syndrome with a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses. Computer vision syndrome is a temporary condition that usually disappears when you stop using digital screens. While these symptoms do exist, they typically last only a few hours and maybe temporarily or reoccur over time. If they persist, you should make an appointment with an optometrist. You can learn more about this condition by checking your eye health and examining your computer use.

Computer Vision Syndrome Treatment

There are many ways to treat computer vision syndrome, including eyeglasses and proper viewing habits. While most people will not notice a difference in their vision after wearing computer glasses, people with severe CVS may require special treatment. To help prevent computer vision syndrome, people should try to use digital screens at a 20 to 28-inch distance from their eyes. Computer screens are not designed to correct your eyesight, so wearing glasses may not help you if you have dry eyes.

Preventing computer vision syndrome is essential for preventing it in the first place. Changing your lighting and reducing glare are all easy ways to prevent computer vision syndrome. Proper posture is also crucial to avoiding computer vision syndrome. A good rule of thumb is to keep your computer screen at least two feet away from your eyes and at a level below eye level. This will help keep your eyes in a more relaxed position while working on your computer.

Computer Vision Syndrome Prevention

Computer Vision Syndrome is becoming an increasingly widespread condition. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, around 60 million people suffer from the condition. As our society continues to adopt digital technology, we spend more time looking at screens and using them for longer periods of time. This has resulted in exposure to blue light which causes our eyes to refract, causing objects to become blurry or out of focus. If left untreated, this problem can progress to a more severe stage.

Some simple ways to avoid computer vision syndrome are to rest your lower back and push your shoulder back, switch on your computer’s blue screen, and wear a blue screen filter. Another effective way to minimize the effects of computer vision syndrome is to use anti-glare and matte screen filters. If you’re still experiencing dry eye problems, consider using lubricating eye drops. The high-five test is another great way to avoid computer vision syndrome.

 

Avoid Vision Problems and Eye Diseases With These Tips

They say the eyes are the windows of the soul. Your eyes are an integral part of your body. Without good vision, your quality of life is going to significantly decrease. 

People can suffer from a myriad of vision problems and eye diseases. While all eye conditions cannot be prevented, there are some ways you can avoid developing eye conditions that could place your vision in danger. 

Tips for Preventing Vision Loss and Eye Disease

The health of your eyes is paramount to your overall health. Thankfully, you can do many things to keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong. We want you to consider the following healthy eye ideas. 

Seek Comprehensive Eye Exams Regularly

Although you may think your eyes are healthy, there could be hidden issues within their depths. When your eye doctor dilates your eyes, they can see all the way to the back of your eyes. 

A comprehensive eye exam will reveal signs of diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. Dilated eye exams are the only method of detecting these eye conditions. 

Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetics must be adamant about keeping their blood sugar levels under control. Diabetics are more likely to develop vision loss. It is important to note that around 90% of all diabetic vision loss is preventable. 

Eat For Good Eye Health

Eating for good eye health is essential. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will give the eyes the vitamins they need for good health. Dark leafy greens are especially beneficial for eye health. Fatty fish is also healthful. 

Maintain a Healthy Weight For Healthy Eyes

Many people do not realize being obese can put them in danger of developing eye disease and vision loss. Obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes. With high blood sugar comes an increased risk of vision loss. 

Wear Protective Eyewear at All Times

You should wear protective eyewear when playing sports, performing repairs, or 

mowing, among other activities. There are many types of protective eyewear available, including safety goggles, eye guards, and shields. 

People also need to make sure they wear shades. Not only will you look cool wearing them, but sunglasses block out UV-A and UV-B rays that can both cause damage to your eyes. 

Rest Your Eyes

Eye strain puts a lot of stress on your eyes. When working for long periods at a computer, you must look up and blink frequently to keep your eyes lubricated. Dry eye leads to eye strain and can cause pressure on your eyes. 

Avoid Smoking

Most people know smoking is bad for their bodies. What many may not realize is that smoking can negatively affect eye health. Current research links smoking with a higher prevalence of age-related macular degeneration. 

Smoking may also lead to cataract development and optic nerve damage. If you smoke, work on quitting right away. If you are not a smoker, keep it that way!

Check Your Family History

Your family’s eye history is important. You should talk to your family members to determine if they suffer from any eye conditions. A family history of eye disease makes it more likely for you to suffer one. 

Taking Care of Your Eyes Is Essential For Your Vision

Protecting your eyesight takes a concerted effort. You should eat a healthy diet, wear protective eyewear, and seek regular eye examinations. 

Avoiding smoking and keeping your blood sugar levels under control is essential. Diabetic-related eye diseases are up to 90% preventable. You must remember that you are in control of your eye health. Keep your lifestyle and diet under control, and protect your vision at all times.