Eye Diseases and Conditions Overview

Eye Diseases and Conditions

• More than 3.4 million people in the US older than 40 are legally blind or have a corrected vision of 20/40 or less
• Almost 7% of US children under 18 have been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition
• Nearly 3% of US children under 18 are blind or have impaired vision
• Vision loss is one of the top 10 causes of disability in adults over 18 and is a common disabling condition in children
• The four most common eye conditions leading to vision loss are: cataracts, diabetes-related retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Regular eye exams can lead to early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

• AMD is an eye disease that affects central vision
• It damages the macula, the center of the retina that allows us to see fine details
• It's the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60
• AMD can be wet or dry
  • Wet AMD: Abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak blood and fluid, damaging the macula and causing loss of central vision
  • Dry AMD: The macula thins over time, blurring central vision; accounts for 70-90% of AMD cases
• Symptoms include: blurred central vision, black spots in central vision, wavy or curved appearance of straight lines

Cataracts

• Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens
• They can develop in one or both eyes
• They are the leading cause of blindness worldwide
• In the US, cataracts are the leading cause of reversible vision loss
• Symptoms include: cloudy/blurry vision, glare around lights, trouble seeing at night, sensitivity to bright light, needing bright light to read, changes in color perception, frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
• Cataract surgery, which removes the cloudy lens, has a high success rate with over 90% of people experiencing better vision after surgery

Diabetes-Related Retinopathy

• A common complication of diabetes
• One of the leading causes of blindness in adults in the US
• Damage to blood vessels in the retina due to long-term unmanaged high blood sugar
• Most people with diabetes-related retinopathy show no vision changes until the disease is severe
• Symptoms include: blurred or distorted vision, new color blindness, poor night vision, small dark spots or streaks in vision, trouble reading or seeing faraway objects
• Treatment includes: injections of specific medications and surgery to repair or shrink blood vessels in the retina

Glaucoma

• Eye disease caused by higher-than-normal fluid pressure in the eye
• Damages the optic nerve, affecting how visual information is transmitted to the brain
• Can lead to vision loss and blindness in one or both eyes
• Often runs in families
• Two main types:
  • Open-Angle Glaucoma: Develops slowly over time; vision changes may go unnoticed until the disease progresses
  • Closed-Angle Glaucoma: Occurs suddenly; painful and causes rapid vision loss
• Symptoms include: eye pain or pressure, headaches, red eyes, rainbow-colored halos around lights, low vision, blurred vision, tunnel vision, blind spots, nausea and vomiting
• Treatment focuses on reducing eye pressure and includes: prescription eye drops, laser therapy, and surgery

Retinal Detachment

• A separation of the retina from its underlying tissues holding it in place
• Serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if untreated
• Symptoms may or may not be present depending on the severity of the detachment
• Symptoms include: seeing flashes of light, seeing dark spots or squiggly lines in vision, darkening/covering of part or side vision
• Treatment includes: laser therapy or surgical approaches to seal the retinal tear and reattach the retina

Common Eye Conditions in Children

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): The brain and one eye don't work together properly, favoring the better-seeing eye; reduced vision in the non-favored eye; most common cause of vision impairment in children
• Strabismus: Eyes don't coordinate, causing them to cross or turn out; eyes don't focus together on the same image; can cause reduced 3D vision and favoritism of one eye, leading to loss of vision in the non-favored eye (amblyopia)
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Inflammation of the clear tissue lining the eyelid and outer coating of the eye; highly contagious, especially in children; doesn't cause permanent vision damage but causes itchy, red, blurry, tearing and discharge

This quiz explores common eye diseases and conditions, focusing on their impact on vision, especially in older adults and children. It covers critical information about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), its types, and the importance of regular eye exams for early diagnosis. Test your knowledge on eye health and vision loss prevention.