As age begins to creep up on all of us, the inevitable aches and pains start to become more prevalent. Our joints don’t work quite as well as they used to. We wake up with back, shoulder or neck pain we never noticed before. And around age 40, many of us notice that our eye sight isn’t as sharp as it used to be.
If you have further questions or concerns about your eye health and options for treatment, Advanced Eye Medical takes pride in providing state of the art procedures such as custom cataract surgery in Orange County.
Age brings with it its own set of health challenges and without proper care your eyes can really deteriorate as you age. Read on to learn what signs to be aware of and how to prevent problems before they start.
Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are a common problem and happen when our tear glands can’t produce enough tears or produce low-quality tears. Symptoms include itching, burning and red eyes. If left untreated, vision loss can occur. Common treatments include using a humidifier and special eye drops that simulate tears.
Tearing
The opposite of dry eyes is tearing, when your eyes produce too many tears. This can happen if you are sensitive to light, wind or temperature changes. Common treatment includes wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes. If not addressed properly, you can develop an eye infection or you may suffer from a more serious issue like a blocked tear duct. Check with your eye doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Floaters
Ever notice any tiny spots or specks that drift across your field of vision? These are called floaters and you are most likely to notice them in well-lit rooms or outside on a very bright day. Floaters are a normal occurrence but if you notice them along with a flash of light, it be a more serious issue, such as your retina being detached from the back of your eye. Keep an eye (no pun intended) on the number of spots or flashes you see and if you notice a difference, check with your eye doctor.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is what happens when you can no longer read that restaurant menu or see any other close objects or small print clearly. This is perfectly normal as we age and is easily treated with reading glasses or contacts.
Cataracts
Many older adults suffer from cataracts or cloudy areas that cover all or part of the lens of the eye. Cataracts form slowly, without pain, redness or tearing and will begin to block the lens of your eye making it difficult to see. Some cataracts stay small but those that don’t require surgery to remove.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma happens when there is too much pressure inside your eye. If not caught early, permanent vision loss and blindness can occur. Symptoms and pain may not be present until it is too late so make sure you get your eyes regularly checked. Treatment includes prescription eye drops, other medication or surgery.
Other Disorders and Symptoms
Retinal disorders such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vessel occlusions and a detached retina all affect the thin lining on the back of the eye. Another reason to get regular eye checkups as early detection and treatment of these issues can help you keep vision loss to a minimum.
Conjunctivitis is common and happens when the tissue covering your eye gets inflamed. This inflammation can come from an infection, allergies or exposure to chemicals or other irritants. Symptoms include burning, itching, red eyes or the feeling that something is actually in your eye.
Corneal disease is much more serious and can happen from disease, infection, an injury or exposure to toxins. The cornea is what allows the eye to focus light. Symptoms include pain, redness, reduced vision, watery eyes or a “halo” effect. Treatment includes glasses, medicated eye drops or surgery for more severe cases.
As we get older, drooping or twitching eye lids can cause all kinds of problems. If you eyelid isn’t functioning the way it should, it can’t properly protect your eyes, spread out your tears and limit the amount of light. You might experience pain, itching, tearing and the outer edges of your lids might become inflamed. Treatment options include medication and surgery in more severe cases.
Eye Exam & Custom Cataract Surgery in Orange County
Just like any health checkup, it is important to get your eyes checked regularly. If you are suffering from any of the issues mentioned above, visit Dr. Ghosheh and his team at Advanced Eye Medical. Don’t let issues with your vision become permanent. Schedule your consultation today to find out more about custom cataract surgery in Orange County.