Your eye health is important. That is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that everyone must be familiar with common eye ailments. This is a good way to maintain one’s eye health. If you are familiar with these ailments, you can do your best to prevent them. Here are the five common eye conditions you should watch out for.

1. Cataract

This eye ailment is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. A cataract can occur in one or both of your eyes. Research shows that it is a leading cause of vision loss. You can have this eye condition at any age. Some patients have it at birth. The most common cataract patients are at least 50 years old. The symptoms of cataracts are the following:

• Frequent eyeglass prescription changes.
• Blurry or cloudy vision. 
• Changes in color vision.
• Need to read under bright light
• Glare around the light each night. 
• Problems seeing at night.  

2. Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration deteriorates your central vision as it affects your retina’s macula. Studies show that macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people at least 60 years old. This eye condition can be dry or wet.

The condition thins out the macula, blurring your central vision. Wet macular degeneration presents leaking blood vessels in the eyes. It often leads to loss of central vision. There is no cure for this eye ailment, but an early diagnosis can prevent blindness.

3. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic patients often develop this eye condition. Studies show that it is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that results from blood vessel damage because of uncontrolled high blood glucose levels. The retina is light-sensitive. It is important for a clear vision. Most people with diabetic retinopathy do not have vision changes until the disease is already severe. 

4. Refractive Issues

These eye conditions result in focus problems. They occur when the lens and cornea do not process light the right way. Distorted vision, nearsightedness, and farsightedness are common in many parts of the globe. Your eye doctor can correct them with surgery, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. 

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that results from fluid pressure presenting above normal levels. This high pressure damages the optic nerve. This affects the information that travels to your brain. Glaucoma is a hereditary condition. It often leads to blindness in one or both eyes if you do not get treatment. Regular eye checks will allow your eye doctor to catch the early signs of this eye condition. This can lead to early treatment and vision loss prevention. 

You can prevent or manage the mentioned common eye conditions with the help of your eye doctor. At Positive Eye Ons, we help our patients maintain and improve their eye health. Please visit our clinic in Los Angeles, California, for a one-on-one consultation. Call us at 323-651-5646 to set an appointment or inquire about our eye treatment packages.