What causes eye conditions?
Causes of eye conditions vary depending on the type of eye condition and the individual case. In some cases, the cause is not known.
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Cataracts can be caused by aging, smoking, injury, diabetes, genetic factors, steroid use, infection during pregnancy, and other factors.
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Diabetic retinopathy is caused by diabetes-induced changes in the blood vessels that supply the retina.
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Eye infections are caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi that infect various parts of the eye, such as the eye’s surface (conjunctivitis), eyelash follicle (blepharitis), tear sac (dacryocystitis), or the cornea (keratitis).
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Eye injury can be caused by a variety of events or substances, such as trauma from sports or a vehicle accident, abrasion from rubbing the eye or foreign substances entering the eye, and exposure to chemicals or fire.
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Glaucoma can be caused by aging, steroid use, and genetic factors. Open-angle glaucoma develops over time and tends to run in families. Angle-closure glaucoma, which is less common than open-angle glaucoma, is acute and painful and also tends to run in families.
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Macular degeneration is often caused by the breakdown of the macula during the aging process. In some cases, deterioration is caused by abnormal blood vessels under the retina.
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Retinal detachment is often precipitated by a small tear or hole in the retina. The exact cause of retinal detachment is not known, but several risk factors have been identified, such as certain inflammatory conditions and trauma to the eye.
What are the risk factors for eye conditions?
Certain factors increase the risk of developing an eye condition. Risk factors for common eye conditions include:
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Age older than 60 years
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Diabetes
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Eye injury
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Family history of eye condition, such as cataract, glaucoma, or macular degeneration
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Involvement in contact sports that might lead to an eye injury
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Smoking
INTRODUCTION
What are eye conditions?
Eye conditions include diseases, disorders, and other problems of the eye and the eyelid. Within the eye there are many elements that work together with the nervous system and the eye muscles to create vision. Light flows through the cornea and the pupil of the globe (eyeball) onto the lens before it is projected onto the retina in the back of the eye. The retina transforms light into elec...
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SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of eye conditions?
Symptoms of eye conditions vary and depend on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Acute eye conditions, such as an eye injury or infection, may be accompanied by inflammation and pain. Symptoms of eye conditions include:...
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TREATMENTS
How are eye conditions treated?
Many eye conditions are inherited or related to aging. As such, they are usually not preventable. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment can help reduce or delay vision loss and improve your quality of life. Treatment plans vary depending on the type and stage of the eye condition and other factors....
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