Home » Eye Clinic » Eye Diseases
Eye Diseases
Information on symptoms and visual disorders
Certain factors such as injuries, medications, age, gender or radiation may cause some eye diseases to start at an earlier age. It is important to diagnose the diseases as fast as possible, usually by using computer-aided imaging and visual field testing. Measuring intraocular pressure is not sufficient by itself, because for example, many glaucoma patients have a pressure that is in a normal range. The prognosis for the disease is good if the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. We recommend regular visits to an experienced ophthalmologist by the time you have reached the age of 45.
Some eye diseases may cause vision problems and the symptoms can vary a lot. Some vision changes can be dangerous and need immediate medical care, because if left untreated the worst case scenario may even lead to blindness or cause some severe damage to the eyes. A thorough eye examination can save your sight and health!
We have collected some of the most common symptoms and the reasons behind them on this page, but a specialist’s opinion is always needed if you are experiencing pain, flashes or “black spots” in your visual field.
Cataracts
With age the lens of the eye will start blurring: this is called a cataract. It can start at the age of 40 or it can start at the age of 100. The initial symptoms include frequently needing stronger glasses, need for more light, reduced vision, glare of sunlight or insecurity when driving in the dark. Certain factors such as injuries, medications, radiation and high degree of nearsightedness may cause cataract to start at an earlier age.
An untreated cataract causes blindness, but it can be treated with surgery. In the surgery, refractive errors can also be corrected and if presbyopia surgery is performed the patient will no longer need glasses.
Cataract Treatment
Cataracts are diagnosed by an eye doctor. We recommend an examination at Sol Eyes where we provide experienced specialists and the necessary latest technology to plan cataract surgery. In the surgery the blurred lens will be replaced with an artificial lens that will remain clear for the rest of your life. In the surgery, refractive disorders and astigmatism can also be corrected, and if presbyopia surgery is performed the patient will no longer need glasses. The good time for cataract surgery is when the symptoms start interfering with your everyday life. There is no need to wait for the progression of cataracts, it will actually make the surgery more difficult, increase the risks and slow down the healing. Local anesthesia is given as eye drops, and the surgery is pain-free and quite easy and quick.
Appointment
If you are a diabetic and think that you may be suffering from retinopathy, or if you wish to have a comprehensive eye examination, make an appointment at Sol Eyes.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve is damaged without causing any symptoms, and at a later stage it can lead to loss of vision or blindness. Usually glaucoma is caused by slowly increasing intraocular pressure which has no symptoms. The main risk factors for glaucoma are age, having members of the immediate family with glaucoma, and myopia.
Diagnostics
It is important to diagnose the disease at an early stage, usually by using computer-aided imaging and visual field testing. Measuring intraocular pressure is not sufficient by itself, because many glaucoma patients have a pressure that is at a normal range. Th prognosis for glaucoma is good if the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. We recommend regular visits at Sol Eyes after you have reached the age of 45.
Treatment
Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops that reduce the intraocular pressure and with laser treatments. If eye drops are used, the patients generally use them for the rest of their lives. Laser treatments can also be used to replace the eye drops. The most modern laser treatment is the SLT laser therapy that we use at Sol Eyes. It is more effective and more gentle for the eyes and may be repeated, unlike the LTP therapy that cannot be repeated and where the results are not permanent.
Glaucoma patients treated at Sol Eyes visit a nurse between doctor’s appointments to check the intraocular pressure. This way we can ensure that that the patients are under regular check-ups, and we can also avoid surprises caused by the disease.
The most severe cases of glaucoma can be treated with surgery to reduce the intraocular pressure.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a disease which causes the structure of the fundus, the macula, to be permanently damaged.
There are two forms of this disease, dry and wet. The dry form progresses slowly and there is no actual treatment for it, although some daily habits can have an effect on the disease. The wet form of AMD can cause blindness, and attempts can be made to treat it with laser or injections. It should be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
Symptoms
The symptoms of age-related macular degeneration include reduced visual acuity and blurred lines. Dark or light spots may appear in visual field or, for excample a letter may appear to be missing from a word.
Risk factors
Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindess of the aged population. Risk factors are aging and heredity, as well as smoking, heart and circulatory diseases, being overweight, and not eating enough fruits and vegetables.
Diagnosis
Retinopathy
Diabetes can cause changes in the retina, diabetic retinopathy. It can significantly reduce your vision. Diabetic patients should have the fundus of the eyes regularly examined. At Sol Eyes you will receive fundus photographs and a specialist’s stament of the photographs if you wish. If retinopathy is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the prognosis is good. At Sol Eyes we have the equipment needed to treat retinopathy.
Symptoms
At an early stage retinopathy causes no symptoms, but as the disease progresses it can cause blurred vision, impaired color vision, sudden loss of vision due to vitreous detachment, fluctuating vision or moving dark areas in your vision. An early diagnosis important.
Risk factors
In diabetes type 1 the changes in the eyes are very common. In type 2 the risk is smaller but when the changes occur, they will cause swelling in the fundus, leading to reduced vision. The risk is increased by the duration of the disease and unbalanced diet.
Treatment
The balanced treatment of diabetes is important, as well as the treatment of heart and circulatory diseases. The changes in the fundus can be treated with laser, the most severe cases with vitreous and retinal surgery.
Appointment
If you are a diabetic and think that you may be suffering from retinopathy, or if you wish to have a comprehensive eye examination, make an appointment at Sol Eyes.
Refractive disorder
Refractive disorder is an error in the focusing of light by the eye. The refraction of light by the cornea and the lens is not in proportion to the length of the eyeball. Refractive errors are categorized in myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.
Symptoms
A person with myopia (nearsightedness) cannot see far without glasses, a person with hyperopia (farsightedness) cannot see near without glasses. Astigmatism causes blurry vision, and often eye pain, fatigue, soreness and headache. A person with presbyopia has a reduced vision and needs either reading glasses or multifocal glasses.
How common are they?
Refractive errors are very common, and some of them are hereditary.