Many eye disorders are treatable if diagnosed early on, “but because they’re virtually painless, people often ignore their symptoms instead of making an appointment with an eye doctor,” says John Branch, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center in Greenville, S.C., and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The most common causes of blindness are glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment, in which the retina, the thin tissue that lines the back of the eye and sends visual messages to the brain, comes loose from its normal position. Although retinal detachments can be caused by sudden trauma (like a baseball to the eye) or complication from eye surgery such as LASIK, they can also begin with small rips in the retina that are left untreated, Branch says.
Here are the warning signs your own eyesight may be in danger:
Floaters: Two-thirds of the eye is filled with vitreous, a jelly-like substance which begins to contract with age. “Occasional spots, threads or webs ‘floating’ across your field of vision are actually condensed strands of vitreous causing shadows on the retinal surface,” says Branch. A sudden onset of floaters, particularly dark splotches, may signal the start of a retinal tear.
Flashers: Flashing lights, like tiny lightning bolts or strobes, in your peripheral vision indicate the vitreous is tugging on the retina and may cause it to come loose from its normal position.
Shadow Effect: A sense of a shadow, or gray curtain, rising or dropping over your field of vision could be a sign the retina is peeling away from the back of the eye.
Very near-sighted people have a higher risk of developing eye disease, particularly retinal tears, says Branch. “Because their eyes are longer than someone with ‘normal’ vision, the retina is stretched, making it easier to become detached.”
To safeguard your vision, maintain a healthy diet that includes plenty of dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale and collard greens. “All are rich in vitamins and antioxidants which protect eye health,” says Branch. On sunny days, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. And most importantly, don’t put off a regular eye exam.
“The sooner you get any of these symptoms evaluated by an eye doctor,” Branch says, “the sooner you can get them fixed.”
Source: Stephanie Booth, AOL Health Center
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