What are the most common eye problems?

The human eye is an exceptionally complex organ and this means that the number of things that could potentially go wrong is huge.

14:16 08 December 2014

Eye problems can be some of the most inconvenient and distressing disorders that people can experience. They are also extremely common. In fact, it is estimated that as much as three quarters of the UK population either wear corrective eyewear or have undergone corrective surgery.

We rely heavily on our sense of sight in almost every waking moment of our lives and depend on it for interpretation of the world around us and communication with other people. It also plays a critical role in keeping us safe. Taking all this into account, it is easy to see why it is so important to address problems with your eyesight.

The most common disorders

The human eye is an exceptionally complex organ and this means that the number of things that could potentially go wrong is huge. Here are some of the most common disorders:

•    Glaucoma. Increased pressure of the fluid inside the eye, which can lead to blindness. It is often associated with diabetes, so this is another reason for people with this condition to keep blood sugars under control and have their eyes regularly checked.

•    Cataracts. A clouding of the lens, leading to blurry or colour-tinted vision. Cataracts are most common in older people and can be removed by surgery.

•    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Another condition most common among older people, this is caused by gradual damage to cells within the eye, leading to blurry vision and possibly even blindness.

Looking after your eyes

Taking care of your eyes, like any other part of your body, is about prevention and cure. From a preventative point of view, you should protect your eyes from harsh light and avoid straining them. If you get anything in them, wash them out as quickly as possible to avoid infection. Any persistent problems should be addressed quickly by specialists to prevent them escalating into something more harmful.

Some disorders are sadly unavoidable and will just happen as a result of age or genetics. If you experience ongoing difficulty seeing objects either close up or at a distance, or you find yourself with blurred or double vision, it is likely you need some kind of visual aid such as glasses or contact lenses.

Glasses and contact lenses work in essentially the same way. That is by altering the direction of light rays to focus them onto the retina, when the eye is not doing this correctly for itself. Glasses may seem less physically intrusive than contact lenses but technology in this area has advanced to such an extent, particularly with regard to products such as monthly disposables, that contact lens wearers now find them to be almost unnoticeable.

Be prepared

Even people who enjoy excellent eyesight in their youth will experience a natural deterioration in this area as they grow older, which means that almost everybody will experience some kind of sight problem at some point in their life. Fortunately, there is a range of corrective measures that are being improved every day in terms of cost and effectiveness. Being prepared to take advantage of such measures is key to ensuring that you continue enjoying your life to the fullest extent.