Eye problems affect almost everyone at some point in their lives. Just like anyother organ in your body, your eyes are subject to normal wear and tear. As youage, you are more prone to developing certain eye problems that can affect yourvision and can even lead to loss of eyesight in serious condition.
Being aware of the causes and risk factors of several eye problems can help preventand manage certain eye diseases. Taking care of your eyes is the first step to improveyour eye health and general wellbeing. Knowledge is the key! | | Floaters
Floaters are tiny specks or spots that drift about when you move your eyes, especiallyin bright light. These floating specks are caused usually by age-related changeswhen the vitreous fluid (jelly like substance inside your eyes) becomes more liquid.
Floaters are normal and usually harmless but sometimes they can be a sign of a moreserious eye problem such as retinal tear or detachment. If they become more noticeableor cause flashes of light, contact your doctor right away.
|  | Tearing eyes Watery or tearing eyes occur when there is too much tear production.Some causes of tearing eyes include allergies, eye infection, eye irritation, excessivelydry eyes, inward growing eyelashes and Thyroid disorder. If your eyes are itchyand uncomfortable, it may be due to allergic reaction. Tearing can also be due tosome serious eye infection or a blocked tear duct. Consult your doctor to determinethe underlying cause to get the right treatment.
Puffy eyes
Puffy eyes refer to the swelling of tissues around your eyes. It is usually onlya temporary cosmetic concern and may simply disappear without any treatment.
Puffy eyes can result from various reasons including heredity, fluid retention dueto weather or Hormone levels, allergies, certain medications, staying up at night,etc. If puffiness does not go away or you notice swelling in other parts of thebody, see your doctor to rule out other possible causes of swelling such as kidneyor Thyroid problems.
Dry eyes
Your eyes need a flow of tears to provide lubrication to maintain clear and comfortablevision. Dry eyes occur when there is decreased production of fluids from your tearglands. You may experience pain, itching, redness, sensitivity to light, tearingand blurry vision often after prolong work.
For some people, the cause of dry eyes is an imbalance in the tear-flow system ofthe eye. This can be due to dry air created by air conditioning, heat and long hoursin front of the computer without blinking. However, other conditions such as naturalaging process, side-effects of some medications and disease conditions like arthritisand eyelid problems can cause dry eyes.
Treatment is necessary if you have prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Yourdoctor may prescribe artificial tears that simulate real tears to keep your eyeshydrated and lubricated. Surgery may be needed in some serious cases of dry eyes. | | Some preventive measures for dry eyes include:- Refrain from exposing yourself to windy conditions likeair conditions, hair dryer, car heaters, etc.
- Wearglasses on windy days to reduce the effects of the wind.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoidlong hours of watching TV, reading or staying in front of the computer. And blinka lot!
- Studies suggest that consuming a dietrich in omega-3 fatty acids or dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of dryeyes.
It sounds like a contradiction but a person with a dry eye may have tears streamingdown the cheeks. When eyes get irritated due to dryness, your eyes send a distresssignal to the nervous system for more lubrication. In response, fluid overflowsyour eyelids to compensate the dryness. However the tears are of poor quality anddo not have the lubricating properties. | | Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, often called “pink eye” is the inflammation of conjunctiva, thetissue that lines the inner surface of your eyelid and covers the white part ofthe eye. It is one of the most common eye infections in children and adults. Conjunctivitisis highly contagious and easily spreads from one person to another. Conjunctivitiscan be caused by bacteria, virus or allergic reaction to irritations such as dirt,smoke, chlorine in swimming pool, eye cosmetics, etc. You may experience the followingsymptoms:
| - Excessive tearing.
- Redness in the white of the eye.
- Thick yellow discharge from one or both the eyes.
- Itchiness or burning sensation.
- Swelling of eyelids.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
|  | Self-care tips to help relieve symptoms include protecting your eyes from irritants,placing cold compresses on your eyes, practicing good hygiene and removing contactlens if you wear them. If you suspect that you are suffering from conjunctivitis,consult your doctor immediately.
| | Refractive errors
Refractive errors occur when the image of the object you are looking at is not focusedproperly onto the Retina (the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye) causingblurred vision. In normal vision, the image of a viewed object needs to be focusedon the Retina.
The exact cause of refractive errors is not understood yet, but it is known thatboth heredity and environmental factors can affect their development. |  | | Refractive errors can be classified as:
Hyperopia (long-sightedness)—light raysfrom an object form an image behind your Retina. You will find difficulty in reading,writing and looking at near objects but distance objects are usually seen clearly.
Myopia (short-sightedness)—the light rays from an object form an image in frontof your Retina. Closed objects can be seen but have defective vision for distanceobjects.
Refractive errors can be corrected using spectacles and contact lenses.Surgical techniques are also an option to correct refractive errors. Have your eyeschecked regularly. Eat a healthy diet that contains vitamin A and beta-carotene,such as carrots to enhance your eye health. | 
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