Having regular eye exams can be a great way to proactively maintain your eye and vision health. Most illnesses and conditions in the eye and body are easiest to treat and heal when they are discovered early. That’s why at Washington Pediatric Vision Center we take eye exams very seriously. We love to help our patients have long-term eye health and avoid possible risks! 

Here are seven eye conditions you should be familiar with and watch out for: 

1. Refractive Error: The most common eye issues are a result of an irregular shaped cornea and lens which causes light in the eye to refract incorrectly. This results in near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. These can often be corrected with glasses and/or contact lenses.
2. Lazy Eye and  Wandering/Crossed Eyes: A condition resulting in blurry or reduced vision as a result of the nerve pathways in the brain not being properly stimulated. While surgery can be an option, it can often be avoided with the use of vision therapy.
3. Dry Eye Syndrome: A condition that occurs when the eye is unable to maintain adequate moisture which would normally lubricate and nourish the eye. Symptoms include the eye becoming dry, red, and inflamed, as well as discomfort and sensitivity to light.
4. Floaters: Shadowy dots or shapes in the eye may be caused by the vitreous–or the jelly-like substance inside the eye–clumping and casting tiny shadows on the retina. This is often caused by age-related changes in the body, but they can be a major sign of retinal detachment also.
5. Flashes: Sparks or strands of light may flicker across the visual field as a result of the vitreous–or the jelly-like substance inside the eye–detaching from or pulling on the retina. Flashes are normal in small amounts, but sudden and frequent visual flashes may warrant medical attention.
6. Cataracts: Cataracts can develop slowly over the course of several years and are characterized by blurred vision similar to looking through a frosty window. They occur most often in elderly patients and can be remedied through a safe, outpatient procedure to replace the lens of the eye.
7. Glaucoma: This condition is characterized by a group of eye conditions damaging the nerve which connects the eye to the brain. This is often a result of high pressure in the eye. The result is most often gradual vision loss and, depending on severity, can be treated with eye drops, medications, and surgery.

Come in to Washington Pediatric Vision Center and we will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you might have. We’ll be able to check up on your vision and eye health and make sure you’re on the right track to long-term vision health! Want to learn more about this and more about eye exams? https://washingtonvisiontherapy.com/eye-exams/