Visual impairments can often be corrected, and some blindness are preventable. Since eye problems usually degenerate with time, timely intervention is very crucial. In some cases, eye surgery can be prevented early enough with recommended eye drops, and this underscores the importance of seeing an ophthalmologist if you experience any discomforts with your eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, worsening eyesight can be treated. The earlier an eye problem is treated, the better the chances of recovery. But it is always helpful to know the types, symptoms, and treatments of common eye problems; and certain recommended eye drops that can prevent hospitalization.
Types of common eye problems
Here are some common eye problems that you, or someone else in your community, maybe experiencing.
1. Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration or AMD is a common cause of blindness in the US, UK, Nigeria, and elsewhere in the world. It is a condition caused by the degeneration of the cells within the macula lutea or the small yellowish central region of the retina.
Symptoms of macular degeneration include:
- Blurred vision
- Problem seeing clearly in the dark areas
- Seeing an object as smaller than their actual size
- Experiencing blind spots and partial loss of vision
AMD is often treated by a combination of therapies. These include –
- Prescription medications
- Anti-VEGF drugs which are injected into the eye
- Laser or photodynamic therapy
- Dietary supplements rich in certain minerals and vitamins
Relipen is an eye drop that has also proven helpful in dealing with macular degeneration. These ophthalmic drops contain Diclofenac Sodium and are recommended for before-and-after surgery indications for AMD. It is a non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory eye drug that reduces the sensitivity to light and the discomforts associated with eye diseases.
2. Cataract
A cataract in the eye is more common than we like to think. People with cataracts have a formation that clouds their lens and makes it difficult for light to reach the retina where visual images are processed. You can identify people with cataracts by the cloudy, milky white substance covering the lens in their eyes.
People who have cataracts are unaware of the problem until they experience difficulty seeing objects clearly. People around them may also notify them of a milky film covering their eyes and gradually spreading to cover the entire lens or pupils of their eyes. It can gradually lead to loss of sight.
But then, the following are some symptoms of cataract:
- Dim, cloudy, or blurred vision
- Difficulty seeing in the dark or at night
- Inability to look at light or a bright glare
- Seeing halos around bright objects
- Difficulty seeing colourful objects in their bright colours
Cataracts can be treated if detected early. Some of the treatment options include:
- Surgery to remove the cloudy, milky film
- Use of prescription glasses and antiglare sunglasses
- Use of special eye-drops to slow the spread of the disease
A specialized eye-drop such as Fanymox can be used to treat cataracts at the initial stages. A brand of Moxifloxacin, this ophthalmic eye drop is recommended for bacterial eye infections and degenerating vision caused by cataracts. It is a powerful antibiotic that is rich in fluoroquinolone which combats the spread of disease in the eye.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that results from the accumulation of fluid in the eye. The buildup of fluid blocks the optic nerve from sending visual messages to the brain, causing vision impairment over time. This condition can lead to blindness if left untreated over the years, and it can cause significant pain before blindness sets in.
Ophthalmologists divided glaucoma into two categories. There is open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. With open-angle glaucoma, the eye appears normal but the passage of fluid inside it is abnormal angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma results when the angle between the cornea and iris is very thin, leading to accumulation of fluid which refuses to drain normally.
Glaucoma is often inherited and does not cause pain until too late. Some of the symptoms are:
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Chronic redness of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- Inability to see clearly in poor-lit areas
The treatment options for glaucoma are:
- Prescription pills
- Prescription eye-drops
- Surgery
- A combination of the above
One of the foremost eyedrops that doctors love to recommend for glaucoma is Timomed. A brand of Timolol BP, this ophthalmic drops is anti-glaucoma a beta-blocker for conditions that promote the buildup of fluid in the eyes. It is suitable for treating high intraocular pressure or ocular hypertension that could lead to glaucoma and other eye diseases.
4. Diabetic retinopathy
This eye disease is often common to people who are suffering from chronic diabetes. It is actually the result of a diabetes complication. Due to the abnormal level of blood glucose in diabetics, the tiny blood vessels in the retina become inflamed and subsequently damaged. It can affect people with Type 1 or 2 diabetes when the blood sugar is uncontrolled for years.
Some of the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are:
- Inability to identify colours accurately
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Loss of vision
- Dark spots floating through visions
In the early stages, vitrectomy can be applied to treat diabetic retinopathy. But at the advanced stage, the main treatment option is photocoagulation which attempts to repair the blood vessels in the retina with a view to salvaging dying vision.
A prescription eye-drop such as Cypmal may also come in handy to improve the wetness of the eyes and reduce irritation caused by poor nutrient supply to the blood vessels. A brand of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, this eye medication is indicated for providing relief and comfort where dryness and infections have affected vision.
Conclusion
There are other common eye problems that are not treated here due to space. These include dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis or pink eye, retinal detachment, uveitis, night blindness, colour blindness, astigmatism, presbyopia, proptosis, strabismus, macular oedema, floaters, and keratoconus among others.
It must however be pointed out that some of the underlying causes of eye problems are hereditary, bacterial infections, allergy, vitamin deficiency, chemical irritants, uncontrolled blood sugar, and smoking/alcohol among others.