Common Eye Diseases

Below are details of some of the most common eye diseases which can effect vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye. It affects between 1 - 2% of people over the age of 40 years in Caucasian populations, and is the most common cause of registered blindness that could be potentially prevented in the UK.

The danger with chronic glaucoma is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem to be unaffected, but your retina is being damaged.

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure within the eye. Although this condition normally develops quite slowly, by the time it has been diagnosed, it may have had a significant impact on a person's life, causing blurred or double vision, and sometimes loss of sight.

Understanding Glaucoma

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of eyesight loss in people aged over 50. With age, the macula - the central part of the retina that gives us detailed vision - can begin to break down, causing distorted vision and blurriness, and, if left untreated, can lead to a gradual loss of sight.

Dry AMD, which accounts for around 90% of all cases gradually causes vision in the affected eye to become blurred. The symptoms of Dry AMD tend to develop quite slowly, with mild blurring or distortion gradually worsening over time.

Wet AMD which is a rarer condition, is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, which can then begin to leak. This causes the retina to lift off, resulting in swelling and impaired vision.

Straight lines that suddenly appear wavy or distorted are a classic symptom of Wet AMD. Anyone noticing this should visit their optometrist immediately, as early intervention is crucial to maintaining vision.

Understanding AMD

Cataracts

Cataracts are caused by a clouding in the lens of the eye and are the most commonly diagnosed eye condition in adults aged 55 and over.

They tend to develop gradually, and in the early stages can be managed with glasses or contact lenses. When the cloudy area begins to increase, it can cause blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, increase in glare, a change in how colours appear and can eventually lead to vision loss if not treated.

Cataracts affect the ability to focus clearly and make it difficult to see in certain conditions especially night driving and when the sun is low in the sky.

Understanding Cataracts

Diabetes

Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems, but the principal threat to vision is through diabetic retinopathy. Most patients will have developed some signs of diabetic change in the retina after 20 years. In the UK more than two million people have diabetes, but early detection greatly improves the success of treatment.

With time, diabetes affects the blood vessels of the retina, causing impaired circulation and weakness of the vessel walls. In the earliest stages of the disease, small dot-like haemorrhages may be visible, but vision is not threatened.

As the diabetes progresses and the leakage from the blood vessels increases, the central macular area of the retina becomes swollen and vision is affected.

Retinal photography and the highly advanced 3D OCT screening system are invaluable tools to alert us to diabetic eye disease before the onset of symptoms.

Understanding Diabetes

Common Eye Diseases

Glaucoma

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Cataracts

Diabetes

Essien eye Care

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