Common eye diseases

Eyes are the window to the world and a disease affecting the eyes will have a deleterious effect on the vision if it is not diagnosed properly and treated at the earliest.

Here are some of the important eye diseases that are found commonly

A)Retinal eye disease: There are many different types of retinal disease with varying intensities and treatment strategies.

1. Retinal detachment: As age increases, the vitreous present in the eye tends to shrink and sag, causing the retina to become detached. A break or a tear in the retina would result in the leakage of fluid that causes the retina to peel away.
   
   The early symptoms that are associated with this disease are
   
   
   • Flashes of light that are sudden
   • loaters that appear out of the blue
   Surgery is generally suggested as soon as possible. Early treatment will aid in preserving vision. If left untreated, retinal detachment could lead to vision loss that is permanent.
   
   
2. Diabetic retinopathy In diabetics, whose level of glucose in the blood stream is very high, the excess glucose present in the blood causes small capillaries present at the back of the eye to become swollen and in turn leak. The vision, as a result of this, would become blurred. Further, tiny capillaries that grow in the retina as the diseases progresses would in turn burst and leak into the vitreous, affecting sight even more.
   
   

Diabetic retinopathy
Poliferative diabetic retinopathy mild stage	Non-poliferative diabetic retinopathy Advance stage abnormal blood vessels will grow int he retina




3. Epiretinal membrane: The macula which is the tissue near the centre of the retina and is responsible for central vision is covered by a scar tissue like membrane called the epiretinal membrane. Other names for this disease include macular pucker, scar tissue, macular wrinkling or cellophane membrane. This disease is generally very mild and no treatment is requires. In severe cases a vitrectomy may be performed to remove the membrane.
   
   
4. Retinal tear: This form of retinal disease is caused when the vitreous sinks or droops down, pulling the retina and causing uneven flaps on the surface. The disease is characterised by blurred vision in the early stages.
   
   The tear of the retina is resealed during treatment and the pull of the sagging vitreous is reduced.
   
   Most of the vision is restored if the disease is treated before the retinal tear occurs.
   
   
5. Macular hole:When the vitreous sinks and sags, the macula may be pulled at certain instances. This causes a hole in the macula.
   
   Early symptoms include blurred vision or slight distortions. As the disease progresses a black spot will appear in the field of vision corresponding to the hole in the macula.
   
   Treatment includes vitrectomy that introduces a bubble into the eye of the patient. When the patient looks down the bubble presses hard on the vitreous, allowing the hole to heal. The patient is advised to look down for a period ranging from 10 days to 2 weeks to allow the hole to heal.
   
   
6. Age related macular degeneration: As age of the individual advances, the macula begins to deteriorate causing blurred vision, distorted vision or a blind spot at the centre. There are 2 stages
   
   
   1. Dry disease- Initial stage
   2. Wet disease- Advanced stage when the there is rapid vision loss as a result of abnormal blood vessels

B)Graves eye disease:

This disease is also called infiltrative thyroid opthalmopathy. Grave's disease is a form of autoimmune disorder where the body's antibody affects the muscles of the eye and movement of the eyelid.

There is inflammation of the eye and the muscles that surround the eye swell up. This gives an impression that the eye is protruding.

The disease may be occasionally associated with vision loss.

C)Uveitis eye disease:

This disease is characterised by inflammation of the uveal tract or the uvea which comprises the iris, choroids and the ciliary body. The symptoms include pain in the eye, blurred vision, redness of the eye, sensitivity to light; irritation of the eye, sometimes spots that move may be seen.

This disease is severe and needs to be treated immediately. For uveitis that is not caused by infection, drops that contain steroid are given initially to reduce swelling. Antibiotics are prescribed for those cases of uveitis that is caused as a result of infection.

D)Fuch's eye disease:

The endothelial layer of the eye is affected in this disease. The endothelial layer of cells is responsible to remove water from the eye and when these cells are affected, there is water retention in the eye. The water that is stored in the eye makes it very painful and sometimes that water is released out in the form of scorneal blisters. This is a hereditary disease and the treatment that would be suggested by the eye doctor is corneal transplant and it should be done as soon as the disease is diagnosed. This disease is one of the important corneal eye diseases.

E)Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) eye disease:

This disease is characterised by sudden detachment of the vitreous from the retina. The shrinking of the vitreous may not affect the retina in certain cases and the vision will still be clear. The shrinking vitreous in certain other cases may also pull the retina. This will be evident as flashes of light or as floating spots. Rarely a retinal tear may be caused.