Eye health is essential for overall well-being, yet many people experience vision issues at some point in their lives. Some eye conditions are minor and temporary, while others can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Understanding the common eye problems and their causes can help in early detection and proper treatment.

1. Refractive Errors (Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia)

Cause: Irregular shape of the cornea or lens, aging, or genetic factors.
Symptoms: Blurred vision, difficulty reading, squinting, headaches.

2. Dry Eye Syndrome

Cause: Insufficient tear production, prolonged screen time, aging, or environmental factors.
Symptoms: Redness, irritation, burning sensation, blurry vision.

3. Cataracts

Cause: Aging, UV exposure, diabetes, smoking, prolonged use of steroids.
Symptoms: Cloudy or blurry vision, light sensitivity, difficulty seeing at night.

4. Glaucoma

Cause: Increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve, often hereditary.
Symptoms: Peripheral vision loss, eye pain, headaches, nausea, blurred vision.

5. Macular Degeneration

Cause: Aging, genetic factors, smoking, high blood pressure.
Symptoms: Central vision loss, distorted vision, difficulty recognizing faces.

6. Diabetic Retinopathy

Cause: High blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels in the retina.
Symptoms: Blurry vision, dark spots, vision loss.

7. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Cause: Viral or bacterial infections, allergens, irritants.
Symptoms: Redness, itching, watery or pus-like discharge.

8. Eye Strain (Digital Eye Strain/Computer Vision Syndrome)

Cause: Prolonged use of digital screens, poor lighting, improper posture.
Symptoms: Eye fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes.

Tips for Maintaining Good Eye Health

• Wear UV-protective sunglasses to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

• Eat eye-healthy foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as carrots, leafy greens, and fish.

• Get regular eye check-ups to detect early signs of eye disease.

References:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – https://www.aao.org

2. National Eye Institute (NEI) – https://www.nei.nih.gov

3. Mayo Clinic – Eye Diseases – https://www.mayoclinic.org

4. World Health Organization (WHO) – Vision Impairment – https://www.who.int

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Eye Health – https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth