Compassionate, Professional Care

Blog

The Most Common Eye Issues We See

At our office, we see a lot of patients with a variety of different eye issues. In this blog post, we'll go over some of the most common issues we see and what you can do to treat them.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to irritation, redness, and pain. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend using artificial tears or ointments to lubricate the eyes and help with symptoms. In some cases, we may also recommend special eye drops or plugs that help to block the tear ducts and prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.

Allergies

Allergies are a common problem, especially during the spring and summer months. Allergies can cause itchy, watery eyes as well as redness and swelling. If you're struggling with allergies, we recommend using over-the-counter antihistamines or artificial tears to help relieve symptoms. For more severe allergies, we may prescribe stronger medication.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It's often caused by bacteria or viruses, but can also be caused by allergies or irritants. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itchiness, and discharge from the eye. Conjunctivitis is usually treated with antibiotics, but sometimes resolves on its own without treatment.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. It's often caused by increased pressure in the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision, halos around lights, and pain in the eyes. Glaucoma is usually treated with medicated eye drops, but surgery may also be necessary in some cases.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition that damages the macula—the part of the eye responsible for central vision—and can lead to vision loss. It's most common in older adults over age 60. Symptoms include blurred vision and dark spots in your field of vision. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but there are treatments that can help slow its progression and preserve central vision.

There are many different types of eye issues that we see on a daily basis at our office. In this blog post, we went over some of the most common ones: dry eye syndrome, allergies, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. If you're experiencing any symptoms related to these conditions, please make an appointment with us so that we can provide you with proper treatment.

Scott Van Daalen