The eye is an extraordinary and intricate organ. Each eye contains
more than twenty parts. Its function is highly specialized. There are
numerous disorders and diseases of the eye, some common, some rare. Many
vision problems can be corrected with eyeglasses, others cannot.
Following is information on some of the more common eye conditions.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD):
The
macula is in the center of the retina, located at the back of the eye.
It allows perception of fine detail. AMD destroys sharp central vision,
such as that needed for reading and driving.
AMD is the leading
cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60. It is painless, and
can cause a slow or rapid decrease in vision. Risk factors include age,
smoking history, obesity, race (most common in Caucasians), and gender
(more common in women).
There is no current medical treatment for
dry AMD; use of aids, such as (prescription eyeglasses) that magnify
print, can be helpful.
Posterior Vitreous Degeneration (PVD):
The
vitreous is the clear jelly-like substance that fills the eye between
the lens and the retina. It is 99 percent water, 1 percent collagen. The
vitreous is attached to the retina.
There is no treatment for
PVD; eventually the brain adapts to the floaters and people adjust to
them. It does not cause permanent sight loss, though it can lead to
retinal detachment if the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina.
Retinal detachment is treated separately from PVD (see below).
Glaucoma
The
optic nerve is attached to the back of the eye near the macula, the
center of the retina. It is responsible for sending electrical impulses
to the brain to form images when light enters the retina.
In order
for the eye to retain its shape, it needs to maintain a certain amount
of pressure. As people age, pressure changes can occur and/or the optic
nerve can weaken. When the optic nerve is damaged at the point where it
leaves the eye,
glaucoma occurs.
Treatment
for glaucoma consists of reducing the pressure in the eye and
increasing blood supply to the optic nerve. Eye drops are commonly used,
and may be followed by laser therapy, or trabeculectomy. Treatment
cannot restore vision loss that has already occurred, but can slow down
or
prevent further loss of sight.
Cataracts
The
crystalline lens of the eye is a clear capsule-like bag that hangs
behind the iris. It focuses light on the retina, so the retina can
transmit visual images to the brain.
Cataracts can be removed with
surgery, a quick, painless procedure accomplished under local
anesthetic. The clouded lens is removed and replaced with a small
plastic lens. Follow-up treatment includes a series of eye drops to
facilitate healing.
Uveitis
The uvea is
the inner layer, between the sclera (at the front of the eye) and retina
(at the back of the eye), comprised of the iris, the choroid, and the
ciliary body. The uvea supplies blood to the retina.
Uveitis can
be caused by many things: a viral infection, a fungal infection, a
parasite, trauma to the eye, or it can be related to an autoimmune
condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Treatment
varies depending on the cause and other underlying conditions, but
includes corticosteroids, eye drops, pain relief, treatment of disease,
and prevention of vision loss. While the infection is treated, it is
best to wear (eye glasses) rather than contact lenses.
The
human eye is an amazing organ that
most of us rely on every waking moment of the day. From morning till
night, our vision allows us to see beautiful Florida sunsets, our
beloved family and much more. Here at
20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, our main goal is to keep you up-to-date on everything related to
eye care and eye health.
Here at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore,
we help thousands of Orlando, Melbourne City and Orange City residents purchase eyeglasses, contact lenses and sunglasses every day. We know purchasing new eyeglasses can be a challenge.
Inexpensive reading glasses at the store are cheaper than prescription lenses. Is visiting an eye doctor and getting a prescription worth the extra cost?
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