Do you have these problems with your eyes? (Eye Diseases) Let's be aware!

Have you ever felt something strange or a little uncomfortable in your eyes? Maybe your eyes hurt, or you feel like you can't see as clearly as before, or maybe your eyes are just red and watery. Actually, these things can be caused by various eye diseases. So today, let's talk about what these eye diseases, or in medical terms, ``Eye Diseases'' are, and how to take care of them. There is nothing to be afraid of, the most important thing is to be aware of this.

What are eye diseases?

Simply put, eye diseases are any conditions that affect your eyes or the parts around them. Some of these are very sudden and get better quickly (`acute` conditions). For example, an eye infection. However, there are some diseases that start very suddenly, but can last for a long time (`chronic` conditions).

Most eye diseases occur in the eyeball. But, that's not all. These diseases can also affect the muscles that move your eyes, the eye socket, the eyelids, or the skin and muscles around your eyes. Imagine, sometimes even a tumor on your eyelid can be considered an eye disease.

How common are eye diseases?

In fact, eye diseases and vision impairments are very common . According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of vision impairment or blindness.

One reason why eye diseases are so common is that our eyes are not isolated from the rest of our bodies. In fact, eye diseases can be linked to diseases that affect other systems in our body. This means that problems elsewhere in your body can also affect your eyes. For example, someone with diabetes (`Diabetes Mellitus`) is more likely to have eye problems. That's why there are hundreds of diseases that affect the eyes.

What are the most common eye diseases?

There are several common eye diseases that are seen worldwide:

• Cataracts: You may have heard of this. Cataracts are when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. This causes vision to gradually decrease.
• Refractive errors: This is when the eye is unable to focus light properly.
• `Astigmatism`: In this case, the shape of the lens or cornea of ​​the eye is slightly different, which can cause blurred vision.
• Myopia: Nearsightedness: Near objects appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry.
• Nearsightedness (Hyperopia): In this condition, although distant objects can be seen, objects that are close up, such as books or newspapers, are not as clear.
• Presbyopia (nearsightedness) occurs in many people after the age of 40. It becomes difficult to see things that are close up.
• Glaucoma: This is a condition in which the pressure inside the eye increases, damaging the optic nerve. This is a disease that can lead to vision loss, so it is important to recognize it early.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): This is a condition in which the central part of the eye's retina is damaged, causing vision to become blurry and distorted when viewed straight on.
• Diabetes-related retinopathy: In people with diabetes, if blood sugar levels are not controlled, the blood vessels in the eyes can be damaged, affecting vision.

In addition, eye injuries are a major cause of vision loss. That's why experts study these injuries as diseases, to find better ways to prevent and treat them.

Eye cancers and tumors are not very common. However, they can sometimes develop. Regular eye exams can help detect them early. Fortunately, most of these tumors are not cancerous (benign). That means they are not dangerous. However, even such tumors sometimes need to be removed to avoid damaging the surrounding tissue.

How are eye diseases classified?

There are several ways to classify eye diseases. Let's look at some of the main ones:

1. According to the part of the eye that is affected: That is, whether the disease affects the lens, retina, or optic nerve.

2. By underlying cause: Some diseases start in the eye itself (`Primary eye diseases`). There are other diseases that affect the eye later due to a disease elsewhere in the body (`Secondary eye diseases`). For example, high blood pressure (`hypertension`) can affect the eyes.

3. By symptoms and effects: That is, what kind of symptoms does this disease cause and what processes in the eye are disrupted.

4. By duration: Some things like eye infections get better in a few days (`acute`). However, some diseases like glaucoma can last for months, years, or even a lifetime (`chronic`).

When talking about eye diseases, there is a slight difference between the words "sight" and "vision."

• Sight: This begins when light enters the eye through the cornea and ends when it falls on the retina. Simply put, it is the ability of the eye to form an image.
• Vision: This is much broader than that. It includes all the steps involved in seeing. It also includes how our nervous system processes these visual signals and turns them into what we see.

Although many people, even experts, use these two words interchangeably, they are not always the same thing. Diseases related to "Sight" are specific to the eyes. However, diseases related to "Vision" can also involve the brain and optic nerves. That is why some diseases can cause vision loss even if the eyes are fine.

What are the symptoms of eye diseases?

Eye diseases can have many symptoms. These can mainly come in several forms:

• Things you feel:
• Eye pain
• Burning, itching, and stinging sensation in the eyes
• Eye strain
• Changes in eye function:
• Frequent tearing of the eyes (epiphora)
• Difficulty controlling blinking
• Changes in the appearance of the eyes:
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes (scleral icterus) - This can be a symptom of a disease such as jaundice.
• Redness of the eyes
• Black circles in the eye, which means the pupils are very small (miosis)
• Changes in eye movement or position:
• The eyes are not pointing in the same direction, one eye turning outward or inward (`exotropia` or `esotropia`) - we also call this a deviation.
• Changes in the way you see:
• Seeing two things at once (diplopia)
• Blurred vision
• Like looking through a tube, seeing only the center without seeing the surroundings (`tunnel vision`)
• Increased light sensitivity
• Reduced vision at night

Important: If you continue to experience one or more of these symptoms, be sure to see an eye doctor. Don't ignore it.

What are the causes of eye diseases?

There are countless causes of eye diseases. Some are direct causes, while others are factors that increase the risk.

• Genetics: Our `DNA` determines how our eyes develop and function. So, many eye diseases can develop due to changes (`mutations`) in `DNA`. For example, some people are born with `color blindness`.
• Changes as the eyes develop and grow: These changes can begin while you are still in your mother's womb as a fetus, or they can even occur during your childhood.
• Environmental factors: Eye diseases can also be caused by things around us. Many things can affect this, such as exposure to excessive ultraviolet light, dust in the air, humidity, and temperature.
• Infectious diseases: Eye diseases can be caused by various types of pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These can either infect the eye directly or spread to the eye from elsewhere in the body.
• Other chronic conditions: Many diseases that affect the entire body can also cause problems with the eyes. Examples include high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and some thyroid diseases.
• Previous eye injuries: Sometimes, an injury to the eye can increase the risk of developing eye diseases later on.
• Idiopathic causes: "Idiopathic" means the cause is unknown. This means that even experts may not be able to find an exact cause (although this may change over time).

How to diagnose eye diseases?

An ophthalmologist (or optometrist) or other healthcare provider can use several methods to diagnose eye diseases. The most important and basic tool for diagnosing these diseases is an eye exam . Many people think that this is just a test to see how well you can see (visual acuity), but that is not the case.

It's a good idea to have an eye exam at least once a year, just like we do a general wellness check. If you have symptoms of an eye condition, your doctor may also do more specialized tests. Some of the things that are done during an eye exam, such as pupil dilation and a slit lamp exam (a special magnifying glass that allows you to see the front of your eye), can be very helpful in diagnosing a condition.

Your eye specialist may recommend other specialized eye tests. Some of them include:

• Fluorescein angiography: This involves injecting a special liquid into a vein in the arm and taking pictures of the blood vessels inside the eye.
• Tonometry: This measures the pressure inside the eye. This is important for diagnosing diseases like glaucoma.
• Retinal imaging: Images of the retina at the back of the eye are taken.
• Corneal topography: The surface of the cornea, the transparent part of the front of the eye, is taken like a map.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): This is like an ultrasound scan of the eye. It can take cross-sectional images of the layers of the eye.

There are other tests that are not specific to the eyes, but can be helpful:

• Blood tests: These can check for immune system problems, infections, or DNA and genetic testing.
• `Imaging` tests: Things like `Ultrasound`, `CT scans` (Computed Tomography), and `MRI` (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
• Neurological tests: Tests that analyze brain activity, such as an `Electroencephalogram (EEG).`

If your ophthalmologist or other doctor recommends other tests like these, they will tell you more about what they are and how they can help.

How are eye diseases treated?

Treatments for eye diseases are as varied as the types of diseases. Some treatments help with a wide range of conditions. Others are very specific, meaning they are designed for a specific condition only.

Refractive errors are very common eye conditions. They are usually easy to treat. Visual acuity can be improved with eyeglasses or contact lenses .

Other common treatments are:

• Vision correction surgery: Especially surgeries that use laser technology, for example LASIK surgery.
• Eye surgeries: such as cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery.
• Medications: These can be eye drops, pills, or injections.

Because there are so many different treatments and each person responds differently, your eye specialist is the best person to tell you about the treatment that is right for you. He or she will also tell you about the side effects and complications of the treatments.

Can eye diseases be prevented?

Some eye diseases can be completely prevented . Others can be reduced in risk . However, many eye diseases develop in unexpected ways, so it may not be possible to prevent them or reduce their risk.

There are several general things you can do to keep your eyes healthy:

• Get regular eye exams: Even if you don't wear glasses, you should have an eye exam at least once a year or two. If you have other conditions that increase your risk of eye disease (like diabetes), you may need to have your eyes checked more often.
• Wear eye protection: Injuries to your eyes, face, and head can cause long-term eye problems and damage. Wear safety glasses that fit your type of work or play. Regular glasses don't provide that protection.
• Avoid nicotine use: Smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco use all affect your circulatory system, especially the blood vessels that supply blood to your eyes.
• Don't ignore eye infections: If you have an eye infection that lasts more than a few days, see a doctor. If left untreated, these can become serious problems and cause permanent damage or other complications.
• Don't ignore eye symptoms: If you notice a gradual change in your vision, it's a sign that you need to see an eye specialist for an eye exam. If your vision changes suddenly and unexpectedly - especially if you lose your vision - it's a medical emergency.
• Make proper nutrition a priority: Your eyes need specific vitamins and minerals to function properly. Include things like green vegetables, fruits, and fish in your diet.
• Reach and maintain a weight that's healthy for you: Your overall health has a big impact on your eye health. Your eye specialist or family doctor can guide you on the best ways to manage your overall health for the benefit of your eyes.

What are the most common eye diseases in children?

Many eye diseases that affect adults can also affect children. Some of the most common are:

• Eyes not pointing in the same direction (strabismus): This is also called a squint. One eye can be turned inward, outward, up, or down.
• Lazy eye (amblyopia): This is when the vision in one eye does not develop properly. The brain tends to favor the other eye more, causing the weaker eye to become "lazy."
• `Retinoblastoma`: This is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the retina of the eye during childhood.
• Coloboma: This is a condition where part of the eye is missing at birth.
• Tear duct problems: For example, a blocked or infected tear duct (dacryocystitis).

One of the most important things about many childhood conditions, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), is that they are often easy and effective to treat when they are young. If you suspect that a young child in your care has one of these eye conditions, talk to the child's pediatrician or another doctor. The doctor can help you determine if the condition is present and, if further testing or treatment is needed, advise you on what to do next.

Finally, things to remember

Although eye diseases are common, it is normal to feel sad and uncomfortable when you find out that you have one. The types and severity of these diseases vary greatly. However, most can be treated, and some can even be cured completely.

It is essential to have your eyes checked regularly. This can help identify these types of diseases early, which often makes treatment easier.

If you have any concerns or questions about your vision, don't hesitate to visit an eye specialist. They can provide the guidance, support, and comfort you need to manage any situation you may be facing. Protecting your eyes is in your hands.

` Eye diseases, vision impairment, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, eye examination, eye protection, pediatric eye diseases