Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologists are specialists who deal with the treatment of eye. The branch of medicine and surgery that treats eye disorders is called ophthalmology.

The most commonly diagnosed eye diseases are:

Cataract:

An obstruction in vision due to a cloud on the lens of the eyes.

Cataract may affect one or both eyes and the common symptoms are:

• Faded Colors
• Blurry vision
• Trouble with bright light
• Issues with night vision

The primary causes of cataract are:

• Aging
• Trauma
• Radiation
• Genetic disorder
• Smoking and alcohol

Glaucoma

A common disease that affects older adults where the fluid pressure within the eye rises, leading to loss in vision.

The common symptoms of glaucoma are:

• Severe pain in the eye
• Persistent headache
• Blurred vision
• Halos around light
• Pain in the abdomen
• Vomiting and nausea

Ophthalmologists have divided glaucoma cases into two categories- primary and secondary. In primary glaucoma, the cause is generally not known.

However, secondary glaucoma is caused due to diseases such as:

• Tumor
• Diabetes
• An advanced stage of cataract
• Inflammation in the eye

Dry Eyes

A commonly seen eye condition, caused due to the lack of lubrication for eyes due to inadequate tears.

The symptoms of this eye condition include:

• A sensation of burning and scratching in your eyes
• Mucus around eyes
• Redness in eyes
• Irritation in eyes when exposed to light
• Blurred vision and watery eyes

Dry eyes can be caused due to the following reasons:

• A decrease in the production of tears in your eyes.
• An increased rate of tear evaporation
• A disturbance in the balance of tear composition

Eye Tumor

It is primarily categorised into two- retinoblastoma (a common form of cancer affecting children under 5 years of age) and melanoma (occurs mostly in adults at the age of 60-65).

The common symptoms that are seen include:

• Vision impairment
• Sudden flashes of light
• Seeing spots, lines or floating objects

Eye specialists have outlined the major causes of eye tumor which are:

• Aging
• Inherited symptoms of cancer
• Ultraviolet radiation
• Moles

Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage caused to the blood vessel in the retina that leads to blindness.

The commonly seen symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are:

• Color blindness
• Complete vision impairment
• Appearance of spots and floaters

High glucose level in blood weakens and damages the small blood vessels within the retina that lead to diabetic retinopathy.

Exophthalmos

Also known as proptosis, is the dislocation of the eye from the orbit. Exophthalmos can affect both the eyes, making it appear bulging. This can obstruct the eyelids from closing while sleeping, leading to damage. Exophthalmos is caused mainly due to Graves’ disease.

The major symptoms are:

• Dryness and irritation in the eyes
• Painful eyes with blurry vision
• High sensitivity to light
• Difficulty in moving eyes with a pressure around the eyes

Protruding of the eyes can happen due to various reasons such as:

• A tumor that can be either cancerous or non-cancerous
• An injury in the eye
• Clotting of blood in the eye
• Tissue infection around the eyes
• Brain abnormalities

Frequently Asked Questions

Que1:Is cataract contagious?

Ans: No, cataract is not a contagious disease. However, if an individual is diagnosed with cataract on one eye, it can develop on the other eye too.

Que2:How frequently should an adult get their eye examined?

Ans: Adults in the age group 20 to 39 should have their eyes examined every five years. If you     are in the age group of 40-64, you should get your eyes examined in every four years. If you are over 65, you should get your eyes examined every one0two years.