Eyesight is one of the most important senses we have. Without clear sight, it is difficult and sometimes completely impossible to undertake our usual day-to-day activities. Eye problems can turn the beauty of the world around us into an unending circle of pain. Ophthalmologist Russell Levine, MD, is a highly experienced eye specialist who offers cataract surgery in Hell’s Kitchen, NY, among other eye treatment procedures. He understands the importance of clear eyesight and delivers personalized care while insisting on quality and efficiency. Some of the eye problems that you should consider talking to him about are detailed below.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma describes damage to the optical nerve due to a group of conditions. There are different types of glaucoma, but they all cause uncommonly high pressure on the eyes, thus damaging the optical nerve. These different types of glaucoma include normal-tension glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and open-angle glaucoma. Normal-tension glaucoma affects the optical nerve despite normal levels of eye pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma is pressure build-up in the eyes caused by clogging or narrowing of the drainage angle formed by your iris and the cornea. The disease is the main cause of loss of sight amongst people aged 60 and above since they are at the highest risk of contracting the disease. The condition is currently incurable but can be treated if caught early.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition characterized by swollen red eyelids which are constantly irritated. Some diseases cause blepharitis, but the main cause is usually the obstruction of oil glands located at the foundation of the eyelashes. The causative agents are Demodex, malfunctioning oily glands, allergic reactions, eczema, and rosacea. Some of the symptoms of the condition include blurred eyesight, high sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, itchy eyelids, and watery eyes.
Dry Eye
When your eyes produce an inadequate amount of tears (or poor quality tears) to facilitate lubrication, the resultant condition is known as dry eyes. The condition normally causes constant irritation. Causative agents of the illness are contact lenses, Demodex mites, allergies, blepharitis, and styes. Some of the symptoms of the condition include blurred vision, eye fatigue, a stinging or burning sensation in the eyes, challenges with nighttime driving, red eyes, and high sensitivity to light.
Macular Degeneration
The deterioration of the small section at the center of the retina, known as the macula, is called macular degeneration. There are normally two kinds of macular degeneration, which include dry and wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration is caused by the gradual build-up of drusen protein beneath the macula. It is characterized by blurred vision, problems with recognizing faces, a need for brighter light, and distortion of straight lines. Wet macular degeneration is caused by the formation of unusual blood vessels directly underneath the macula and retina. It is characterized by dark or blurry spots in the field of vision and hazy vision.
Eyesight problems have the potential to decrease your quality of life at high speed. The sensitivity of the eyes also demands that any symptom be checked with urgency. Do not risk dimming your bright future because of negligence towards this potential issue.
