Prevent Common Eye Conditions with these Guidelines
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Posted On :
Sep-17-2010
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Article Word Count :
882
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The eye is one of the most sensitive and complex organs in the human body. It includes a transparent lens that helps focus
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The eye is one of the most sensitive and complex organs in the human body. It includes a transparent lens that helps focus light on the retina. The retina itself contains light-sensitive cells known as rods and cones. Cone cells respond to color and rod cells have greater sensitivity to light. The optic nerve connects the eyes to the brain. Studies have shown that the brain interprets visual input from both eyes by combining it into a single image.
Because of its incredible complexity and structural delicacy, eye problems are a common ailment. Most are quite minor and can be corrected by visual aids such as contact lenses or spectacles, while others are far more serious. In this article, we will review a few of the most common eye disorders and how we can prevent or treat them.
Refractive Errors
According to the Vision Council of America, three out of every four American adults relies on some type of vision corrective device. About two-thirds wear spectacles while the rest put in contacts. Doctors estimate that the total number of Americans who have compromised or diminished vision is between 120 and 150 million—roughly half of the population.
The most common refractive error is hyperopia, or far-sightedness. About sixty percent of patients with diminished vision suffer from this disorder. Because it only affects the eye’s ability to focus on objects close up, it is considered the least serious form of visual impairment. Oftentimes, people with this disorder only wear corrective devices when they are reading.
A slightly more serious refractive error is myopia, or near-sightedness. Patients that are diagnosed with this disorder have difficulty discerning objects that are far away. About thirty percent of people with visual disorders require glasses or contact lenses to correct their myopia.
A still more serious refractive error is astigmatism, which results in distorted vision at all distances. Patients who are diagnosed with astigmatism need to wear both corrective devices. About ten percent of the people with vision problems are also diagnosed with astigmatism.
What can you do?
Like all human organs, the eyes begin to breakdown and degenerate as we get older. As a result, the percentage of older individuals who suffer from these common disorders is quite high. The overwhelming majority of people over sixty require some type of corrective device. It is also a fact that vision problems are highly inheritable, which means that if everyone in your family wears glasses or contact lenses, there is a strong probability that you will require them as well at some point.
The best advice we can give you is to take care of your eyes. When reading, make certain that you have enough light. Straining the eyes can cause them to weaken over time. It is also important to note that wearing glasses does not aggravate visual impairment. That is nothing but an old wives’ tale. So, if you need glasses or contact lenses, make an appointment with your optometrist immediately.
Macular Degeneration
Also known as age-related macular degeneration, the condition can lead to permanent and irreversible visual impairment. The disorder affects the macula, which is the central part of the retina that gives the eyes the ability to focus and see fine details. The affected area is often called the central vision and it is needed to focus on objects both near and far.
If not properly treated, central vision will be gradually and irreparably lost. The result is a blurry, underwater look to everything. People with advanced macular degeneration can neither read nor operate a motor vehicle. At last count, over 1.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease.
What can you do?
The goal for ophthalmologists who specialize in treating AMD is to prevent future vision loss. It is highly unlikely that patients will ever regain their full vision, but surgery, vitamins and drug therapy have all proven remarkably effective at halting further degeneration.
Cataract
Of the more serious eye diseases and disorders, cataracts are easily the most prevalent. Over twenty million Americans are treated for cataracts each year, making them the leading cause of vision loss in the US. When cataracts form, the lens of the eye begins to cloud over time, which makes it more difficult for light to pass through to the retina. If the condition is left untreated, it can and almost certainly will result in total blindness.
What can you do?
That real tragedy of blindness as a result of cataracts is that it is an imminently treatable condition. A reliable surgical procedure called extra-capsular surgery has an incredibly high success rate. The only problem is that it is extremely expensive and some insurance companies refuse to cover it. What about Medicare? While it is true that Medicare does cover the surgery if it is performed by a surgeon rather than an optometrist, there is still the 20 percent coinsurance payment to consider. And unfortunately, many older Americans who are living on a fixed income cannot afford this payment.
Most common eye ailments are preventable and treatable. The most important thing you can do to protect your eyes is getting regular checkups with an eye care professional.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Prevent Common Eye Conditions with these Guidelines_33400.aspx
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Author Resource :
Teri Thackston is a freelance writer who writes about health, eye care and specific products and tips to purchase contact lenses online.
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Keywords :
contact lenses online,
Category :
Health and Fitness
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Health and Fitness
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