What Eye Problems Look Like

Blurry vision, spots, glare at night, flashing lights — these are common eye complaints. Each could be a harmless annoyance or an early sign of disease. It isn’t always easy to tell the difference. Visit your eye doctor promptly if you notice any changes in your vision.

Which number do you see on the far left? If it’s “3,” you probably have normal color vision. If it’s a “5,” you may be color blind. The center panel shows a mild lack of color vision. Complete color blindness, which is rare, appears at right. No number is visible. Tinted glasses may help you see better.

When you’re nearsighted, things in the distance look blurry. Doctors call it myopia. You’re more likely to have it if: 

• One or both of your parents have it
• You do lots of close-up reading

Nearsightedness can make it harder to drive, play sports, or see a blackboard or TV. Symptoms include blurred vision, squinting, and fatigue. To correct it, you can wear glasses, contacts, or get surgery in some cases.

Most people are born with mild farsightedness and outgrow it in childhood. When it persists, you may see distant objects well, but books, knitting, and other close objects are a blur. This problem runs in families. Symptoms include trouble with reading, blurry vision at night, eyestrain, and headaches. To treat it, you may wear glasses or contacts. Some people get surgery for it.

Trouble reading fine print is a sign of aging. It’s called presbyopia, which means “old eye” in Greek. Most people start to notice it in their 40s. The eyes’ lenses become less flexible and can’t change shape to focus on objects at reading distance. The solution: Wear reading glasses or bifocals, which correct both near and distance vision. If you wear contacts, ask your eye doctor about contacts made for people with presbyopia.

The cause is usually an eyeball that is too long. Or it can result from an oddly-shaped cornea or lens. Light rays focus just in front of the retina, instead of directly on it. This sensitive membrane lines the back of the eye (seen in yellow) and sends signals to the brain through the optic nerve. Nearsightedness often develops in school-age children and teens, so they may need to change glasses or contacts frequently as they grow. Multifocal contact lens or glasses and eye drops such as atropine can help slow the progression. The prevalence of myopia has been rising at an alarming rate, much of it being attributed to increased use of handheld devices and computers.

This problem results from an eyeball that is too short or an oddly-shaped lens or cornea. Light rays focus behind your retina and close objects look blurry. Your distance vision might be fuzzy, too. Severely farsighted children often have crossed eyes (strabismus) or lazy eye (amblyopia) and may have trouble reading. That’s one reason eye doctors recommend vision exams for young children.

If you have astigmatism in one or both eyes, your vision may be out of focus at any distance. It happens when the cornea, the clear “window” that covers the front of the eye, isn’t shaped right. Light rays can’t focus on a single point on your retina. Instead they scatter to many places. Glasses or contact lenses correct it. Surgery may be an option. Symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, and eye strain.

Do you dream of seeing clearly without glasses? Surgery to reshape your cornea can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism with a success rate of better than 90%. Surgery may not be right for you if you have severe dry eye, thin or oddly shaped corneas, or severe vision problems. Side effects include glare or sensitivity to light.

You can’t feel it, but this disease damages your optic nerve. You may not have any symptoms until you lose your central vision. Your side vision will go first. That’s why you need regular eye exams every 1 to 2 years, especially after you turn 40. Doctors can treat glaucoma with medications or surgery.

Your eye is filled with fluid. Sometimes too much of it builds up and raises pressure inside your eye. This can damage your optic nerve, a bundle of nerve fibers that carries information to your brain. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause total blindness.

The bright yellow circle shows an optic nerve head damaged by glaucoma. The dark central area is the macula, which controls your finely-detailed central vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages and then destroys your central vision, making it hard to read or drive. Symptoms can include a central blurry spot or straight lines that appear wavy. You’re more likely to have it if you are older than 60, smoke, have high blood pressure, are obese, are female, or have a family history of the condition. See your eye doctor regularly to check for AMD. Prompt treatment can help slow vision loss. 

AMD affects the central part of your retina, called the macula. There are two types:

• Dry: Doctors often see yellow deposits called drusen in the macula. As it worsens, the macular tissue breaks down. That causes changes or loss of your central vision over time.
• Wet: Abnormal blood vessels grow in your eye. They leak blood and fluid (shown here), which causes scars and further damages the macula.

Both types leave you with a central blind spot.

Cover one eye and stare at the center dot in this Amsler grid from a distance of 12 to 15 inches. (You can wear your reading glasses.) Do you see wavy, broken, or blurry lines? Are any areas warped or just plain gone? Repeat for your other eye. Although no self-test can take the place of an eye exam, this grid is used to help spot early symptoms of AMD.

Next:  See how this grid looks with AMD.

As seen here, the Amsler grid can look quite distorted to if you have severe macular degeneration. It may include a central dark spot. Straight lines that appear wavy are also cause for concern, as they can be an early symptom of wet AMD, the more serious, fast-moving type. See your eye doctor right away for a thorough exam.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause partial vision loss (an example is shown here) and lead to blindness. The damage involves tiny blood vessels in your retina. It can often be treated, but don’t wait for symptoms. By the time you have them — blurry vision, spots, shadows, or pain — the disease may be severe. If you have diabetes, get an annual eye exam. The best prevention is to keep your blood sugar in check.

High blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels that support your retina. They can swell, break, and leak fluid. Sometimes dozens of new, abnormal blood vessels grow. This is called proliferative retinopathy. They’re fragile and break open easily. Over time all this can damage the retina and cause blurred vision, blind spots, or blindness. 

By age 80, more than half of us will have had a cataract, or cloudy lens. Your vision slowly gets foggy and it gets hard to read, drive, and see at night. Diabetes, smoking, or too much time in the sun raise your chances. Surgery that replaces the clouded lens with a man-made one works well.

A healthy lens focuses light into a single spot on your retina. It captures the image like film in a camera. As you age, protein builds up in the lens. It gets cloudy and sends scattered rays of light to your retina. Instead of one sharp clear image you get blurred vision, changes in color vision, and glare, especially at night. Advanced cataracts are easy to see. It’s the muddy-colored circle at the center of this picture.

You can inherit this disorder from your parents. It often begins with night vision problems. Next comes a slow loss of side vision. That becomes tunnel vision and finally, in some cases, blindness. It’s uncertain whether vitamin A and/or fish oil supplements help improve this condition. More research is needed. 

The light-sensitive tissue of the retina slowly breaks down over many years. As that happens, it no longer sends signals to your brain, and you lose some vision. Eye exams show abnormal dark spots (pigments) sprinkled around the retina. Early cataracts can also happen, along with a swelling of the retina called macular edema (the central orange mass shown here).

Do you see blurry spots or specks that move? They’re probably floaters — debris in your eye’s vitreous gel. They don’t block vision and are easier to see in bright light. Floaters are common and usually harmless. See a doctor right away if:

• They show up or multiply suddenly.
• You also see flashes of light.
• You see white or black spots all the time. 
• You notice a sudden shadow or loss of side vision.

When you’re a child, if one eye doesn’t see well, your brain may favor the other. This condition, called amblyopia, can happen if your eyes aren’t aligned right (strabismus or crossed eyes) or one eye just doesn’t work as well. The doctor will prescribe a patch or drops that blur vision in the “good” eye. This prompts your brain to use the other eye. If amblyopia isn’t treated during childhood, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Because so many nerve endings lie just beneath the surface or your cornea, even a tiny speck can be painful. Don’t rub your eye, or you could cause serious damage. Wash it with non preserved sterile saline solution — do not use regular tap water. If the object doesn’t move, call a doctor. They can remove it and give you antibiotic drops to prevent an infection.

Tears keep your eyes moist. Sometimes you don’t have enough, either from dry air, aging, or other health conditions. Your eyes can get painful and irritated. Eye drops labeled artificial tears may do the trick for a mild case. If it’s a bigger problem, you may benefit from other treatments, medications or nutritional supplements

This inflammation results from a virus, bacteria, irritant, or an allergic reaction. Your eye will get red and itch or burn. You’ll also notice a gunky discharge. If your eye itches an allergy is probably to blame. The type you catch from other people is usually viral,  so you won’t need antibiotics. If your pinkeye is caused by bacteria, the doctor will give you antibiotic eye drops. Pinkeye can be very contagious, so wash your hands often while you wait for it to clear up.

This painful red bump looks like a pimple on or near the edge of your eyelid. It’s a type of infection of the eyelids (the doctor will call it blepharitis). Styes usually heal in a week. You can speed things up by putting a warm, wet compress on it 3 to 6 times a day. Don’t wear contacts or eye makeup until it heals.

They can cause itchy, watery eyes. Pollen, grass, dust, weeds, and pet dander are common triggers. An allergy doctor can tell you what’s to blame for yours. Keep your windows shut at home and in your car. You can get special pillow and mattress covers to keep allergens out. Clean your house thoroughly and use allergen filters in your furnace and air conditioner. Allergy eye drops, artificial tears, and antihistamines may help.

You need regular checkups all through your life, especially if eye problems run in your family or if you have other risk factors. An eye exam can also find other problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, or even a stroke or brain tumor. Bulging eyes can signal thyroid disease. A yellow tint in the whites of your eyes might be a sign of liver problems.

UV rays can harm your eyes. Exposure can cause you to get cataracts 8-10 years earlier than normal. Just one long session in the sun can cause very painful irritation of your corneas. So wear a hat and sunglasses that block UV rays. You can add a clear, protective UV-blocking film to your car’s side windows, too. If you have light-colored eyes you may be more sensitive to light. If it suddenly starts to bother you more than usual, call your eye doctor.

Grease splatters from a pan, yard debris flies up from the lawn mower, cleaning solution splashes in a bucket. Some of the greatest eye hazards are in the home. Eye doctors suggest  everyone keep a pair of protective eyewear at home. Look for one approved by the American National Standards Institute. Even if an eye injury seems minor, go to the emergency room or your eye doctor right away to get it checked out.

Carrots really are good for your eyes. So are spinach, nuts, oranges, beef, fish, whole grains, many other things that make up a healthy diet. Look for foods with antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene; as well as zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

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what happens, how they treat and carry out prevention

With the help of vision, a person receives basic information about the world around him. That is why eye diseases require such close attention – after all, deterioration of vision or its loss greatly affects the quality of life.

In the 21st century, almost every second inhabitant of the planet is faced with eye diseases. Technology, industry are developing much faster than the human body is evolving. The body simply does not have time to adapt to new realities, and vision very often suffers. It is influenced by ecology, changes in food quality, gadgets, focus on closely spaced objects (reading, writing, needlework, monitors). The earlier possible vision problems are diagnosed, the higher the chance to overcome them.

Eye diseases are divided into congenital and acquired. Often the causes of congenital diseases are a genetic mutation, an anomaly of development in the womb.

Acquired eye diseases are usually associated with trauma, infections and chronic diseases. For example, diabetes mellitus or hypertension greatly affect the quality of the walls of blood vessels, which affects the intraocular pressure. Vision suffers from this. With age, chronic diseases become more and more common, so most older people inevitably suffer from eye problems.

Today there are at least two thousand eye diseases. The most common among all ages are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and dry eye syndrome. Typical diseases of the elderly are cataracts – clouding of the lens, and glaucoma – increased intraocular pressure, leading to nerve atrophy.

Some of the diseases of the eyes respond well to treatment, others cannot be eliminated even with surgery. Ophthalmologists are involved in the examination and treatment. Also, an eye doctor is called an ophthalmologist, which is the same thing.

What are eye diseases?

When we look at an object, the eye and the brain do a complex job so that we see the picture.

The human eyeball is spherical. Most of it is filled with a vitreous body – a substance resembling a transparent jelly. It maintains the shape of the eye. To keep the eye constantly moist and not dry out, there are lacrimal glands. And to protect against dust and small particles – eyelids and eyelashes.

Outside the eye is covered with a shell – sclera. Its transparent part, through which the pupil and iris can be seen, is called the cornea. The next layer is the choroid, in which there are many capillaries that feed the cells of the eye.

At the back of the eyeball is the retina, which captures light and transmits information along the nerve to the brain. Light enters through the pupil – a hole that can narrow and expand if there is not enough light, or, conversely, too much. This action occurs due to the muscles located in the iris. It also determines the color of our eyes. The more pigment, the darker the eyes.

The eye has a lens to focus light on a small area of ​​the retina. With the help of a special muscle, it changes the curvature and refracts light depending on how far the object is.

The eyeball also has chambers filled with fluid, which also refracts light and nourishes the lens and cornea. The eyeball moves due to the muscles that turn it and change its shape – they stretch or squeeze a little. This is necessary for clear vision at any distance from the subject.

The human eye consists of many parts. And each of them can be affected by a wide variety of diseases, some of which affect vision and even cause blindness. Other eye diseases only bring a little discomfort. Below are some of the most common eye diseases, since there are hundreds of them.

Change in refraction (light refraction) of the eye:

• Myopia (myopia) – a person does not see distant objects well, since the image is fixed in front of the retina.
• Farsightedness (hypermetropia) – the image is fixed behind the retina, while the person often sees both close and distant objects poorly.
• Astigmatism – the refraction of light rays on the retina is disturbed, and vision is blurry, regardless of the distance to the object.

Diseases of the optic nerve and muscles:

• Strabismus – a failure in the movements of the eyeball, the eyes are directed in different directions, the fixation point is displaced.
• Ptosis – drooping of the upper eyelid, weakening of the muscles holding it.
• Glaucoma is a chronic disease in which a periodic increase in pressure in the eye leads to a loss of functionality of the optic nerve. Vision falls very quickly, blindness is possible.
• Ischemic neuropathy of the optic nerve – blood circulation is disturbed, and vision is reduced, the viewing angle is reduced.
• Neuritis is an infection of the optic nerve that becomes inflamed, causing pain and weakness in the muscles that work with that nerve.
• Nerve atrophy – the process of “transmission” of visual information is disturbed. The disease can also lead to blindness.

Diseases of the eye orbit and eyelids:

• Blepharitis – inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. The eyelids turn red, swell, dryness and pain are felt.
• Lagophthalmos – loose closure of the eyelids, which remain partially open even during sleep.
• Inversion of the eyelid – shift of eyelash growth towards the orbit. There is also trichiasis – abnormal growth of eyelashes.
• Blepharospasm – a sharp contraction of the muscles, as if involuntary squinting.
• Barley is a purulent infectious disease in which the eyelid becomes inflamed and swollen.

Diseases of the lacrimal glands and lacrimal canals:

• Dacryodenitis – often caused by infection or chronic vascular problems. Inflammation without treatment increases, and ulcers develop.
• Cancer of the lacrimal gland – malignant or benign tumors. Common symptoms are pain in the eye and head, decreased vision.
• Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal canal that causes persistent tearing and swelling.

Diseases of the lens:

• Cataract – clouding of the lens, mainly in the elderly. May lead to complete loss of vision.
• Anomalies of the lens – may be congenital pathologies, some are eliminated by surgery.

Diseases of the retina:

• Retinal detachment – detachment of retinal layers, without treatment leads to loss of vision. The retina is “soldered” using a laser and other methods.
• Retinal angiopathy – destruction of the choroid, often due to trauma or vascular disease.
• Retinal dystrophy Retinal death or reduction. There are many causes of the disease, the pathology develops gradually, it is congenital.

Diseases of the outer membranes of the eye:

• Keratitis – inflammation of the cornea, caused by infections and injuries.
• Belmo – formation of scar tissue, clouding of the membrane. Occurs due to prolonged inflammation or damage.
• Corneal astigmatism is a change in the shape of the cornea due to increased pressure inside the eye.
• Xerophthalmia – dryness of the membrane, because tears are produced less than normal. It is especially common in older people.
• Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the conjunctival mucosa caused by allergies, infections, fungi.

How eye diseases are treated

Microscopes, various devices, visual examination, and analyzes are used for diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, the ophthalmologist suggests treatment options. Unfortunately, some eye diseases are not treated at all, or require serious surgical intervention. Others quickly heal without any consequences.

Treatments range from eye drops to laser surgery. Medicines are often used: ointments, gels, drops, which are used directly at the site of the disease. They fight infections, help reduce intraocular pressure.

Common in ophthalmology and physiotherapy. Currents, magneto- and electrophoresis, laser are used. Physiotherapy is aimed at accelerating tissue healing.

Sometimes you can’t do without surgery. New methods allow eye surgery to be carried out as quickly as possible and with little risk. Local anesthesia is usually sufficient and the patient is discharged home the same day. Surgical intervention is necessary for strabismus, when an artificial lens is transplanted to the site of a damaged one, for “soldering” a detached retina, and for many other eye diseases.

Prevention of eye diseases

Many diseases are easier to prevent. Therefore, from early childhood, it is necessary to observe the regime of work and rest for the eyes, not to give gadgets to young children, and to properly arrange the schoolchild’s workplace.

Do not read in poor light or in moving traffic. It is necessary to protect the eyes during construction and other works – eye injuries are very dangerous.

Also, any person needs to visit an ophthalmologist once a year, because many eye pathologies do not manifest themselves at first. At an early stage, the disease is treated easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eye diseases are one of the most common problems affecting people of all ages. Many of the eye diseases develop rapidly, or, on the contrary, do not make themselves felt until the last. Ophthalmologist Sergei Nikulin will tell how to protect yourself from such ailments.

Who is at risk for eye diseases?

First of all, these are people who work a lot at the computer or spend time with gadgets, watch TV for a long time. The situation is exacerbated by improper lighting of the workplace. At risk are those who do not observe hygiene, in particular when wearing contact lenses, people who work with harmful substances and live in an ecologically unfavorable area.

Increases the risk of heredity – myopia and glaucoma can be passed on to the next generation. Age-related changes after 50 years also lead to eye diseases. All these categories need to be especially careful to monitor their eyesight and visit a doctor prophylactically.

Can age-related eye diseases be avoided?

Unfortunately, age-related degenerative changes always occur in the eyeballs. It cannot be prevented, but it can be successfully treated if not started.

How can I avoid myopia, which often occurs in children after entering school?

It is especially important for children to undergo systematic examinations, choose the right lighting, and play sports in the fresh air. Often a sharp drop in vision occurs due to an unusual load on the eyes if they are not given rest. But a sharp growth spurt, of course, affects the growth of the eyeball.

In general, we recommend that everyone follow a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, weight control, and stress reduction. In the sun, you should definitely wear sunglasses. We had small patients – children with retinal burns, who made such an unsuccessful trip to the south that they were treated for a whole year.

What are the most common eye diseases?

In the first place are diseases associated with a decrease in visual acuity near or far. This is myopia and farsightedness, as well as age-related farsightedness (presbyopia that occurs after 40-45 years). Often these diseases are accompanied by astigmatism – a violation of the refraction of light rays on the cornea, due to which the image seems fuzzy at any distance. In older people, cataracts are most common, this disease is associated with clouding of the lens. They are also at risk of macular degeneration, when retinal cells die off with age and the ability to see close up deteriorates.

Dry eye syndrome is common and affects those who wear lenses for a long time or constantly look at a smartphone, computer or TV.

As for infectious diseases, the main ones are viral and bacterial conjunctivitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye and purulent inflammation of the formation of the lower eyelid (barley).

Common eye diseases

Cataract Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its natural transparency and becomes cloudy. In most cases, this happens gradually, over many years. Additional factors in the development of cataracts include eye trauma, congenital cataracts, taking various medications, etc. The recommended treatment for cataracts is an operation in which the cloudy lens is removed and an artificial transparent lens is transplanted in its place, which remains in the eye forever. There is a wide range of lenses available for transplantation. Today, in some cases, it is even possible to get rid of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism by transplanting a multifocal lens, which helps to see both far and near. GlaucomaGlaucoma or “lightning”, also known as the “silent thief of vision”, is an eye disease in which intraocular pressure rises, which can eventually lead to permanent blindness. The increased pressure inside the eye causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve and leads to a gradual reduction in the visual field.
Glaucoma can develop at any age, but its onset is most common around the age of 40, mostly in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or nearsightedness, and in those who have had eye surgery.
For the treatment of patients with glaucoma, a drug method is used, including eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure and tablets. In addition, the patient may be scheduled for surgery or laser correction. Such treatment is designed to reduce intraocular pressure and stop the further development of the disease. The choice of treatment by a doctor depends on the type and stage of the disease, as well as on the patient’s health status. If there is a glaucoma patient in your family, then other family members are at increased risk. Try to get tested as soon as possible and find out if other family members suffer from this disease. It is important to listen to the doctor’s instructions, strictly follow the medication schedule and monitor the rate of development of the disease. Early detection and treatment will save your eyesight and allow you to return to your normal life in the shortest possible time.

Retinal atrophy
Retinal center atrophy (AMD – age-related macular degeneration) is the most common cause of vision loss among older adults in the Western world. This disease is associated with age-related degeneration of the macula or macula, which is located in the center of the retina and is responsible for central vision, which allows us to read, drive a car and distinguish objects. As a rule, the only symptom of this disease is a decrease in vision. But sometimes it can lead to a severe deterioration in vision and cause significant damage to the quality of life of patients. Sometimes patients see a reduced picture, and sometimes images of different sizes in different eyes. Regular eye examinations by a qualified ophthalmologist contribute to the early diagnosis of this condition. Diagnosis of retinal atrophy is based on examination of the fundus and is performed through various tests such as OCT (computed tomography, which scans the retina without the use of a contrast agent) and a picture of the retina after injection of a contrast agent. Although this disease almost never leads to complete blindness, it limits the sufferer from daily activities. Therefore, early diagnosis of the disease is extremely important. Retinal atrophy is divided into two types: “dry” (lighter form) and “wet” (more severe form that threatens vision).
Methods of treatment
In mild cases, when it comes to the “dry” type of disease, treatment involves taking special vitamins that reduce the risk of deterioration to “wet”. In the “wet” form of the disease, injections of Avastin or Lucentis into the vitreous are made. These drugs are directed against the growth factors of blood vessels, which are the causative agents of the disease, and also counteract retinal edema. In the clinics of the “Einaim” network, such types of treatment are prescribed both for private patients and members of health insurance funds.

Keratoconus Keratoconus (conical retina) is a disease of the cornea of ​​the eye, which leads to a gradual change in its structure. The cornea becomes thinner in the center and in the lower part and takes on a conical shape. The disease may be hereditary or may be caused by such local factors as frequent rubbing of the eyes (for example, as a result of various allergic inflammations). A change in the structure of the cornea leads to the development of myopia and severe asymmetric astigmatism and the appearance of a blurry image that is poorly corrected with glasses. Keratoconus is diagnosed by scanning the cornea and measuring its thickness. The main condition for obtaining a sharp image is the symmetry and transparency of the cornea. Keratoconus develops when the cornea becomes thin. The change in the structure of the cornea is expressed in an increase in the cylinder, a gradual increase in numerical parameters and the lack of stability of the cornea. The image becomes blurred and distorted. The lack of sharpness and focus of vision cannot be completely corrected with glasses. Additional symptoms of the disease: deterioration in the ability to distinguish between color shades, scattering of light at night and the formation of light halos. In addition, a significant relationship was found between thin cornea and intraocular pressure. Since in some cases this disease is hereditary and its symptoms are detected during the test, it is recommended that the whole family be diagnosed. Treatment methods: in the early stages of the disease, visual acuity can be corrected with glasses or soft or hard breathable contact lenses, which are made to order order. At later stages of the development of the disease, the patient needs surgery. There are several methods of treatment: at an intermediate stage, a corneal ring can be transplanted, which increases the stability of the cornea. In more severe cases, corneal implantation from a donor can be performed. If the disease progresses, it can be stopped by strengthening the cornea of ​​the eye. The development of the disease can be stopped using a method called “cross linking” (Cross Linking), which involves a biochemical effect to harden the cornea. It does this by increasing intermolecular collagen bonds within the cornea. Who is the treatment for?1. At the late stage of keratoconus.2. In rare cases, complications after surgery to get rid of glasses.3. Liquefaction of the cornea of ​​the eye.4. Edema of the endothelium of the cornea of ​​the eye. There is a keratoconus clinic at the Einaim Medical Center, in which comprehensive checks of the stage of the disease are performed. Based on these checks, each patient is offered the appropriate treatment for him.

Retinal detachment
If a tear or hole has formed in the retina, then fluid from the vitreous body or blood can penetrate through it under the retina. In this case, the retina peels off from the eyeball. A tear or hole in the retina may appear as flashes of light in the visual field. At a later stage in the development of this disease, a gray “curtain” may appear in front of the eye and a sudden sharp decrease in visual acuity. This process is painless and usually develops in only one eye. It should be noted that severe myopia is an additional risk factor that can lead to rupture and detachment of the retina. For patients with myopia greater than 6 diopters, annual retinal examinations are recommended. This check is performed by an eye doctor after pupil dilation.

Retinal detachment treatments:
When the retina is torn, laser surgery is usually performed, which is designed to prevent detachment. If retinal detachment has already occurred, then it can be returned to its place by injecting gas into the vitreous body or through surgery.

Diabetic retinopathy
This is an eye disease that affects diabetics and is characterized by damage to the retinal blood vessels. If it is not treated in a timely manner, it can cause severe damage to vision, up to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy primarily affects the small blood vessels of the retina, causing bleeding and secretions in the retina. In the later stages of the disease, new, abnormal blood vessels appear in the retina and vitreous. This leads to bleeding inside the vitreous body, which in turn causes a sharp and serious decrease in the sharpness of vision, and then – retinal detachment. Diabetes mellitus also increases the likelihood of diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. The disease can be prevented or delayed by balancing blood sugar levels with medication, proper nutrition and weight loss in obese individuals, as well as by stabilizing blood pressure, fat content in the blood and, of course, smoking cessation. Diabetic retinopathy requires careful observation by an eye doctor every 3 to 12 months, depending on the severity of the disease. When signs of retinopathy and damage to blood vessels in the retina are detected, laser treatment is usually used to reduce swelling of the macula and central areas of the retina. Laser treatment is performed after pupil dilation and under local anesthesia with eye drops. In cases of chronic macular edema, steroid injections are also used to help absorb the edema into the vitreous. If there are signs of vitreous bleeding or retinal detachment, surgery is performed to drain blood from the vitreous or correct retinal detachment.

Pterygium
Pterygium is a benign pterygoid hymen that is formed as a result of thickening of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the white of the eye. This hymen grows slowly over the years. If the hymen grows only in the white part of the eye, then it is called a “pinguecula”. If the tissue begins to grow upward and capture the cornea of ​​the eye, then this is pterygium. In any case, it contains more blood vessels than the surrounding tissues, and when these vessels dilate, redness appears. In cases where the hymen does not interfere with vision or approaches the center of the cornea, there is no need to remove it, since there is a risk that it will reappear. But if the hymen covers the visual axis of the eye or leads to deformation of the cornea to such an extent that it causes distortion of vision, then it can be removed with a surgical operation. In addition, sometimes this hymen is small, but it looks red, irritated and interferes with a person from an aesthetic point of view. In this case, you can consider removing it. The most advanced treatment for this disease today involves implanting the conjunctiva, which greatly reduces the risk of its recurrence.

Uveitis (uvetis) – inflammation of the tissues of the eye
There is a whole group of diseases that are characterized by inflammation of the choroid. This inflammation is classified according to its location in the eye and can be anterior, posterior, or involve the entire eye. Sometimes uveitis can affect several layers of tissue at the same time. It is diagnosed by a complete physical examination, as well as by serological and hematological blood tests and tomography of the eyes, head, and whole body (CT and X-ray). As a rule, uveitis is one of the manifestations of other diseases (for example, autoimmune and systemic diseases, in particular tuberculosis) with a parasitic infection caused by hereditary factors or trauma. Uveitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a non-infectious inflammation of the edges of the eyelids that develops as a result of narrowing or blockage of the pores in the glands that secrete the fatty components of tears. As a result, the chemical composition of the secretions changes, bacterial growth increases and an inflammatory reaction develops at the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis causes the following symptoms: dry eyes, redness, discharge on the eyelashes, tired eyes and sometimes a sensation of a “foreign body”, tearing, thinning of the eyelashes or their growth inside the eye. This disease is common among people with oily skin and a tendency to develop pustules and acne, as well as among people suffering from dandruff, and among patients with skin diseases such as seborrhea or psoriasis. Treatment requires constant cleaning of the skin of the eyelids from secretions and maintaining proper eye hygiene the following means: compresses with hot water, massage of the eyelid on the surface of the eyeball, external cleaning of the edges of the eyelids with a special towel. Sometimes a doctor will recommend rubbing antibiotic ointment or taking antibiotics internally to change the viscosity of the fat layer and kill germs.

Barley (holazion)
The lesion, which in most cases is not infectious, but can become contaminated, causing pain and the appearance of an abscess. Treatment involves heating the affected area with a towel or cotton wool soaked in hot water for several minutes. This will help relieve pain and stop the inflammation in the eyes. In rare cases, the eye doctor may decide to surgically aspirate to remove the pus or to remove the infected area.

Corneal edema
One of the layers, which is part of the cornea of ​​​​the eye, contains a layer of endothelial cells, which are responsible for the constant removal of fluids from the cornea and thereby prevent the appearance of edema. A healthy cornea contains about 2,500 endothelial cells per square millimeter, and they cannot multiply. Over the years, the number of endothelial cells naturally decreases. In diseases associated with eye atrophy, when the density of endothelial cells becomes below a certain level, corneal insufficiency is observed. This is mainly expressed in the fact that the fluid penetrates the cornea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eye and causes it to swell. In this case, the cornea becomes thick and cloudy. A decrease in the transparency of the cornea of ​​​​the eye leads to a decrease in the sharpness of vision up to blindness. Additional factors that cause corneal edema include surgery and eye trauma.

Treatment: If the swelling persists and causes cloudiness of the cornea, which reduces the sharpness of vision, then a transplant is necessary. Before the transplant operation, treatment with salt water drops is prescribed as a temporary solution. These drops help drain fluid from the cornea. If all layers of the cornea are normal and transparent, and only the layer of endothelial cells is damaged, then only endothelial cell transplantation is performed, without replacing the entire cornea. Operations of this type do not leave stitches, and therefore recovery is faster.

Blockage of tear ducts in young children
The tear ducts must open after birth, and tears must pass through them from the eyes into the nasal cavity. Sometimes tear ducts remain clogged and prevent tears from flowing out normally. In case of blockage of the tear ducts, the lacrimal sac fills up, and the fluid accumulated in it becomes a life-giving environment for microbes. As a result, they multiply and cause inflammation, which is expressed in the release of pus, increased tearfulness and redness in the eyes. Treatment of this disease in children is carried out by prescribing local antibiotics and local massage, which are designed to help open blocked tear ducts. If this does not solve the problem, then the blocked ducts are surgically opened. If this blockage occurs in adults, surgery is usually done to create a bypass called a DCR. To do this, an incision is made in the nose or an endoscope is inserted. The operation is performed in cooperation with an ear-nose-throat doctor.

Nystagmus
Unwanted eye movements caused by a significant deterioration in vision at a very young age, when the relationship between the eyes and the brain should develop. Sometimes this disease can be treated with muscle transplant surgery, but even then minimal nystagmus remains.

Ptosis – drooping eyelid
Causes of this phenomenon include congenital drooping of the eyelid, drooping of the eyelid as a result of eye injury, heredity or weakness of the muscles of the eyelid as a result of growing up and aging. In about 25% of cases, drooping of the eyelid occurs in both eyes. In young children, this condition requires immediate treatment if the eyelid covers the visual axis and can lead to amblyopia (“lazy eye”) if not corrected. Ptosis is treated with eyelid lift surgery.

Color vision disorder
Violation of color perception can be congenital or acquired as a result of damage to the optic nerve or injury to the retina. Congenital disorder is more common and more typical for boys than for girls – its frequency is 5 – 8% and 0.5%, respectively. It is important to note that the range of color perception impairment is very wide – from different levels of difficulty in distinguishing colors that look less bright, up to reduced vision.