Like any other part of your body, eyes can develop issues that require medical attention, some more common than others. These common eye disorders can range from serious to very mild. If you have concerns about the health of your eyes, contact your vision care professional at Valley Eyecare Center right away!
Five of the most common eye disorders include:
- Nearsightedness or Farsightedness. These types of issues, called refractive errors, are the most common eye concerns in the United States. People of any age may develop hyperopia (farsightedness), or myopia (nearsightedness). But it’s usually people between 40-50 years of age that develop presbyopia (loss of close focus, such as the inability to read books or phone screens unless they’re held far away). Refractive errors are usually correctable with glasses or contact lenses.
- Cataracts. This condition occurs when the lens in the eye clouds over. It is a leading cause of vision loss around the world. They can appear at any age, even at birth. Treatment requires surgery. It’s important to work with your vision doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have cataracts.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration. While macular degeneration can occur at other times during a person’s life, it most often crops up as people age. It causes loss of sight in the center part of a person’s visual field. It can be difficult to catch macular degeneration as it forms, so annual eye exams play a very important role in diagnosing and treating this disease.
- Glaucoma. This group of diseases causes damage to the optic nerve, which can cause vision loss or blindness. It happens when the fluid pressure inside your eye rises and puts pressure on the optic nerve. Because glaucoma presents few symptoms, annual eye exams are very important.
- Diabetic Retinopathy. This condition often occurs with diabetes, and is a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when the retina’s blood vessels block because of swelling, closure, or leaks. This can force new blood vessels to form on the surface of the retina.
Let Valley Eyecare Center Help Protect Your Vision!
Whether you’re worrying about new symptoms in your eyes or you just need a prescription for glasses, Valley Eyecare Center can help! We’re excited to be your partners in good eye health. Call us at (602) 955-2700 for an appointment, or contact us online!
