Common Eye Diseases Affecting Adults and Children

Several eye diseases can affect adults and children, significantly compromising their eye and vision health. Scheduling an eye exam with your optometrist near you is vital for catching these diseases before they lead to severe vision loss or blindness. Family Vision Clinic in Farmington, MN, provides pediatric eye care and family eye care to diagnose and treat eye diseases in children and adults. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common eye conditions in adults and children and how we can treat them.

Common Eye Diseases in Adults

While there are hundreds of eye diseases and vision problems adults can face, some of the most frequent eye diseases we treat for adults include cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the lens of your eyes becomes cloudy, typically due to age and natural eye deterioration. While this condition is much more common in adults 50 and older, you can experience cataracts at any age. Your eye doctor can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to slow the progression of cataracts.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when the blood vessels in your eyes become damaged. Your optometrist can utilize eye injections or steroid eye implants to treat this diabetic retinopathy.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs due to immense pressure in the eye pressing on optic nerves, damaging them and causing blurry vision and eye pain. Your optometrist can help manage this disease with prescription eye drops. You may require eye surgery for severe cases of glaucoma.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration damages the macula, which is the center of your retina. You may experience blurry central vision, black spots in the center of your vision, and wavy lines. Your eye doctor may recommend nutritional supplements and medication to slow the progression of this disease.

Common Childhood Eye Diseases

Children are more susceptible to some eye diseases than adults since their eyes are still developing. Amblyopia, strabismus, and conjunctivitis are some of the most common eye diseases that children can experience.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, occurs when one eye does not function as well as the other. The brain will favor the stronger eye, causing the weaker eye to develop vision issues and become “lazy.” Prescription glasses or contacts can help correct refractive vision errors causing amblyopia. Eyedrops and eye patches can also force your child’s brain to use the weaker eye, strengthening it to be on par with the stronger eye.

Strabismus

Strabismus, or crossed eyes, occurs when the eyes do not coordinate well together, causing the eyes to become crossed. This condition reduces depth perception and causes several vision problems. Eyeglasses or contact lenses, vision therapy, and eye patches can treat and manage strabismus.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, occurs when the outer coating of the eye becomes inflamed, causing eye redness, itching, irritation, and eye pain. Your optometrist can prescribe medication, eye drops, or ointments to alleviate pink eye symptoms.

Get Treatment for Your Eye Disease Today at Family Vision Clinic

Catching and treating eye diseases promptly before they lead to significant vision loss or eye health complications is vital for protecting your eyesight, so contact Family Vision Clinic in Farmington, MN, to schedule an eye exam today. We can provide vision correction options, medicated eye drops, and other treatment modalities to keep your eyes and vision healthy, so call us and schedule an appointment at (651) 463-2020.