Eye Disease

The most severe eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which damages central vision, diabetic retinopathy which can cause blindness if blood sugar remains uncontrolled, and advanced glaucoma that leads to irreversible vision loss. Retinitis pigmentosa causes night blindness and peripheral vision loss, while corneal diseases can result in painful vision impairment and potentially require transplantation.

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, leaving the eye surface insufficiently lubricated and causing symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, and a gritty sensation. Many factors contribute to dry eye, including aging, certain medications, environmental conditions, and prolonged digital device use, which, without proper treatment, can lead to inflammation and corneal damage.

Comprehensive eye exams can detect numerous conditions beyond common vision problems, including diabetes through retinal changes, hypertension through altered blood vessel patterns, and autoimmune disorders that cause eye inflammation. Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis sometimes first appear as optic nerve abnormalities, while certain cancers affecting the eye or brain may be discovered during routine exams.

Several autoimmune diseases affect the eyes, with rheumatoid arthritis commonly causing dry eye syndrome and scleritis, while Graves’ disease frequently leads to thyroid eye disease with symptoms like bulging eyes and double vision. Lupus can cause retinal vasculitis and dry eyes, while Sjögren’s syndrome primarily attacks moisture-producing glands, and multiple sclerosis often affects the optic nerve, causing episodes of vision loss.

Glaucoma is primarily caused by increased intraocular pressure, damaging the optic nerve, though some forms develop even with normal pressure levels when drainage channels gradually become clogged or are suddenly blocked by the iris. Risk factors include genetic predisposition (with family history increasing risk up to nine times), advancing age, certain medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and long-term use of steroid medications.