Beware of a cloudy horizon: 5 diseases that can be prevented with regular eye exams

1. Myopia: vision threatened by devices

As far as the top 5 diseases are concerned, the most common is of course myopia. This is partly due to the use of gadgets. The visual load in the environment is very high today, and many people do not follow a rest regimen for the eyes. An ophthalmologist can help identify the causes of nearsightedness and slow its progression.

2. Cataracts: a delayed danger

It is also important to consider the problem of cataracts. Many people put off elective surgery, but when the lens becomes too mature, it makes surgery more difficult. It is more difficult to operate in such a case and more side effects are possible.

3. Glaucoma: treatment with drops and invisible threats

It is also important to consider young glaucoma, which we also treat with drops. At the last visit, a 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with glaucoma. This was probably due to a natural increase in intraocular pressure, which is typical of her age. However, in addition to the increased pressure, the nerve tissue was also found to be suffering. The eye produces fluid, and a muscle inside the eye, the solar body, acts on the lens, changing its shape. This fluid produced by the eye washes over its internal structures and nourishes them, including the cornea and lens, since the vitreous body does not contain blood vessels.

When the balance between the production and removal of intraocular fluid is disturbed, pressure can build up inside the eye. This pressure is similar to filling a balloon with water, where the fluid begins to press against the base of the eyeball. As a result, the optic nerve fibers and retinal cells are affected, which can lead to a gradual loss of vision. The danger is that glaucoma may not be noticeable to patients at first because it first affects the visual field and then, as the process progresses, leads to severe vision loss, including central vision.

4 Allergies and the eye: unusual manifestations and reliable solutions

In the past, the management of patients with various visual problems, especially those related to vascular and cardiovascular aspects, has been challenging. Now, with the improvement of a comprehensive approach, including collaboration with cardiologists and hematologists, as well as the use of new laser technologies and medications, treatment has become more effective. In addition, seasonal infections such as adenovirus are becoming more manageable. Patients are now also seen for allergy problems, especially in the spring, which may require a visit to an ophthalmologist.

Allergists usually refer patients to us for a consultation to prescribe the proper drops and monitoring, as the initial changes may not be noticeable. Sometimes the eye may look almost normal, but closer examination may reveal enlarged blood vessels that need to be treated.

5. Diabetes and the eye: a multidisciplinary approach to care

Diabetes is becoming more common. There are many types of diabetes, including congenital and childhood diabetes. Treatment and follow-up of patients with diabetes is very demanding. Unfortunately, uncontrolled patients who follow questionable prescriptions from unlicensed sources may make strange choices, such as treating themselves with potions or other remedies that may be harmful. It is important for patients to trust licensed professionals and not to self-medicate based on unverified information.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes involves a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle changes (proper nutrition, physical activity) and, in some cases, the use of medications.

Using folk remedies or unusual methods of diabetes treatment without consulting a doctor can be dangerous. It is important to remember that the effectiveness of these methods has not always been confirmed by reliable studies. In some cases, they may even be harmful or interfere with generally accepted treatments.

Sharp eyes after 40: why regular eye exams are important

After the age of 40, ophthalmologists insist on more frequent examinations. This is because changes in tissue tone often disrupt the flow of intraocular fluid. The location of the fluid outflow may also change with age, which may not be noticeable in everyday life. It is difficult to detect elevated intraocular pressure without testing, and if the numbers are not critical, a person may not feel it. That is why it is important to get screened at least once a year after the age of 40. It is not time-consuming, but it helps to make sure that the eyes are healthy.

The eye doctor’s role in overall health: not just vision

Eye doctors also play an important role in identifying other health conditions. For example, they can detect signs of high blood pressure, changes in hypertensive crisis, and hematopoietic abnormalities, including leukemia and anemia. Ophthalmic examinations can also help detect infections, inflammation and even HIV. This makes the role of the ophthalmologist important to the overall health of the patient.