10 Eye Conditions You Could Be Suffering From

Eye conditions frequently affect the population and, whilst most are relatively harmless, some require medical attention to prevent permanent damage to your vision.

If your sight doesn’t seem quite right, it could be that you’re suffering from an eye condition. Read below to find out some common eye issues and how to recognise their symptoms:

Common Eye Conditions

#1 Colour Blindness

A difficulty in distinguishing between colours is the main symptom of this eye deficiency. Colours like red and green can be easily confused, as light-sensitive cells in your eyes fail to respond to the light wavelengths that help us identify colour. Developing colour blindness later in life can be an early symptom of problems such as cataracts, so it’s important to get your eyes checked if you’re experiencing it.

#2 Lazy Eye

‘Lazy eyes’, also known as amblyopia, are the result of vision not developing properly in childhood. One eye is relied on for stronger vision, which can cause a squint as the weaker eye moves in a different direction to the stronger eye when looking forwards.

#3 Cataracts

Clouding of the lens causes a loss of vision with cataracts, which can develop slowly in one or both eyes. Symptoms you may experience include blurring, difficulty with sight at night, halos around light sources, fading of colours and more.

#4 Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the result of fluid pressure causing optic nerve damage within your eye. This can lead to blindness, so it’s vital to get checked at the opticians. Similar to Cataracts, symptoms include halos around light and blurred vision but also headaches, severe pain, nausea and loss of peripheral vision in some cases.

#5 Retina Detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious condition that must be treated immediately or it can cause blindness. Characterised by floating spots across the vision, shadows in your peripheral vision or a grey curtain clouding part of your sight, retinal detachment should be treated within 24 hours for the best chance at reattachment.

#6 Ocular Hypertension

When pressure within the eye rises above normal, ocular hypertension can occur. Similar to glaucoma but without damage to the optic nerve, the condition can make sufferers more susceptible to developing glaucoma. There are no visible signs for ocular hypertension, meaning it’s important to keep regular eye tests so that opticians can pick up the condition during the exam.

#7 Conjunctivitis

Also referred to as ‘pink eye’, conjunctivitis causes redness, swelling, itching and tears. The symptoms can last for up to several weeks and can be contagious. Some forms of the condition only go away when treated, so seek attention from a chemist or optician.

#8 Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD risk factors include age, family history and behavioural habits like smoking and obesity. Blurred vision, distortion of straight lines and dark areas in the centre of your vision are all symptoms as the macula becomes affected.

#9 Eyelid Twitching

Although incredibly common, twitching eyelids can be extremely irritating to the sufferer. Caused by stress or fatigue, the twitches should usually go away by themselves but in some severe and rare cases facial injections or surgery can be used to relive the spasms.

#10 Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK. With up to 80% of people who have experienced diabetes for over 20 years being affected by diabetic retinopathy, it’s integral that if you’re a sufferer you have your eyes checked regularly for signs of the problem.