When Do Common Eye Conditions Develop?
The eyes can be affected by a number of conditions. These conditions can compromise the health of the eyes and lead to vision loss, which may become permanent if not treated. At Gordon Wong Eye Designs & Optometry, our experienced team of eye doctors offers treatment for the most common eye conditions. However, it is important for patients to know when it is time to seek treatment.
Not all eye conditions result in noticeable side effects right away, so regular vision care, including comprehensive eye exams is vital to preserving eye health and ensuring timely treatment of eye conditions. Although routine eye exams can diagnose common eye conditions, it is important for patients to be aware of these conditions, what symptoms they may cause, and when they may show up. Here, we go over when common eye conditions develop so that our La Jolla, CA patients can be proactive about their eye health.
Common Eye Conditions: When Do They Develop?
There are many eye conditions that could develop throughout a person’s lifetime. While most of these can emerge at any time, there is a timeframe in which each is most likely to develop. Below, we provide a brief description of some of the most common eye conditions.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition that affects a person’s optic nerves. The most common cause of glaucoma is an increase in ocular pressure. Increased pressure puts strain on the optic nerves and can result in blurry vision, eye pain, headaches, and more. The risk of glaucoma increases as patients age. It is most common in individuals over the age of 60.
- Cataracts: Cataracts are another condition that can have an impact on a person’s vision. Cataracts are a cloudy buildup that affects the eye’s natural lens. In its early stages, cataracts cause slight blurriness, which can be treated with prescription lenses. As cataracts worsen, they can lead to complete blindness. Like glaucoma, the risk of cataracts increases as a person ages. Cataracts are common in individuals aged 40 or above, with the risk increasing significantly once a person reaches the age of 60.
- Age-related macular degeneration: As the name would suggest, age-related macular degeneration is another eye condition that is primarily linked to a person’s age. This loss of central vision, caused by damage to the center part of the retina, is most likely to occur in those over the age of 60. However, it can develop earlier, especially if a person has a family history of the condition or is an active smoker.
- Presbyopia: Presbyopia is an age-related loss of close-up vision. Patients experience blurriness when reading or working on the computer. Most people notice a deterioration of their reading vision around the age of 40, though it can develop as early as a person’s 30s.
Treatment
Nearly every eye condition will lead to a gradual deterioration of the patient’s vision. However, there are treatment options to slow the progression of these conditions, eliminate them for good, or at least allow a patient to continue to enjoy clear vision through the use of prescription lenses. Our optometrists are happy to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan that will address their unique needs.
Contact Us
The risk of eye conditions increases as a person ages, but they can develop at any time. The best way to protect against long-term damage from eye diseases is through routine eye care services, such as those offered at Gordon Wong Eye Designs & Optometry. To learn more about these services, contact us at your earliest convenience.