Common Eye Conditions

From blurry vision to diabetic retinopathy, our eyes can bother us in various ways. If you've ever dealt with eye issues, know you're not alone. Millions of people are affected by vision problems, with the most common being:

Cataracts: An estimated 17.2% of Americans aged 40 years and older have cataract in one or both eyes.
Diabetes-related retinopathy: An estimated 9.6 million people in the United States were living with diabetic retinopathy in 2021.
Glaucoma: Roughly 3 million Americans have glaucoma.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): A study in 2019 found that an estimated 20 million Americans 40 years and older were living with early- or late-stage AMD.

Typically, common eye conditions can be identified by their symptoms, making it easy for the optometrists at Pearle Vision to assist you. Our eye care experts are here to help you understand what causes common eye issues and how to treat them.

Continue reading to learn more about the most common eye conditions, their symptoms, and their potential causes.

Refractive Errors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), refractive errors are the most common eye problems for people in the U.S. Generally, refractive errors cause blurry vision because the natural shape of a person's eye prevents light from focusing properly.

There are several types of refractive errors including:

Myopia or nearsightedness: When a person struggles to see objects that are far away but can clearly see objects that are close.
- People with myopia may experience squinting, eye strain, or difficulty seeing at night.
- Common treatments for myopia are prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery.
Hyperopia or farsightedness: When a person struggles to see objects close by but can see distant objects.
- Symptoms can include squinting, blurry or fuzzy vision, and general eye discomfort.
- Hyperopia is often present at birth so children should start getting annual eye exams beginning at 6 months old to prevent further problems from occurring.
- Prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery can help those with hyperopia.
Astigmatism: A common eye condition that's often present at birth and causes blurry vision.
- Symptoms can include headaches from eye strain, squinting, light sensitivity, and seeing double.
- An eye doctor can help determine the severity of a person's astigmatism and offer corresponding treatments like corrective lenses or surgery.
Presbyopia: A common eye issue in aging people, presbyopia is losing the ability to see objects clearly when viewed up close.
- Presbyopia can't be stopped, but corrective lenses, glasses, or surgery may be effective treatments.

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common eye condition that happens when a person's tears don't give the eye proper lubrication due to dehydration or computer eye strain. This can be from a lack of tear production or low-quality tears.

Over time, dry eye can cause inflammation and could damage the surface of your eyes.

Common symptoms of dry eye include discomfort, stinging or burning, redness, and watery eyes. Treatment can include eye drops or simple changes to your daily habits.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that may lead to vision loss or even blindness in those who have diabetes. This eye condition affects the blood vessels in the retina.

Some people may not experience immediate symptoms; however, if you have diabetes, it's important to get an annual dilated eye exam to help prevent future vision problems.

Symptoms will vary depending on what stage of DR a person has and can include vision changes and difficulty seeing far away. As the condition progresses, a person may see floating spots.

Treatment will depend on the severity of DR. Late-stage diabetic retinopathy may require surgery, laser treatment, injections, or medications.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that damages the optic nerve after fluid accumulates in the front part of a person's eye. As fluid increases so does the pressure on the eye, which can damage your optic nerve.

Most people don't experience noticeable symptoms of glaucoma, which is why it's crucial to get regular eye exams that test eye pressure. People with higher eye pressure are at risk of developing glaucoma.

Once glaucoma is present, damage can't be reversed; however, surgery and medication may help prevent further damage.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision causing eye issues with reading and driving, and may interfere with daily activities. AMD doesn't typically cause total blindness, but it is one of the main causes of vision loss in Americans.

Common symptoms may include dark or blurry areas in your vision, straight lines appearing wavy, or worsening color perception. Getting regular eye exams will help your doctor determine what state AMD is at.

Treatments can include supplements, injections, and photodynamic therapy. You may also consider eye sun safety like wearing hats or protective sunglasses to help prevent degeneration.

Pink Eye

Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white area of the eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible, causing the whites of the eyes to appear reddish or pink. It may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or an allergic reaction.

Treatment for pink eye includes proper cleaning with a wet cloth, artificial tears, and using cold or warm compresses to help relieve discomfort.

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision occurs when a person loses the sharpness of their vision, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. The primary causes of blurred vision are tiredness, dry eyes, or eye strain, but can also be the result of other more serious eye conditions.

Computer Eye Strain

Computer eye strain or digital eye strain, is a common eye condition that results from looking at a screen for extended periods of time. This can cause eye discomfort, eye twitching, and other vision-related problems.

Here to Help with Eye Conditions

Pearle Vision carries the highest-quality lenses custom-made to fit your unique vision needs and help correct common eye conditions.

Pearle Vision is your neighborhood source for personalized eye care. From scheduling your annual eye exam to getting prescription glasses and choosing designer eyewear, we're here to care for your entire family's eye health.