Common Eye Problems an Ophthalmologist Can Treat

Over 3.4 million Americans over the age of 40 are legally blind. As time passes, our eyesight deteriorates. Avoiding the eye doctor can increase the severity and damage of these vision problems.

There are several common eye problems you can experience over a lifetime that your local ophthalmologist can treat.

Here’s a list to help you know when to visit your eye doctor in Tampa and the symptoms to watch for when you’re feeling discomfort.

Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common vision problems, especially among the elderly. Even someone who has good eyesight over their lifetime can suffer from cataracts.

A cataract is a painless, cloudy film that builds over the eye. It develops slowly and can eventually lead to blindness if not corrected.

Common cataract symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Glare around lights at night
Trouble seeing at night
Sensitivity to bright light
Need for bright light to read
Changes to the way you see color
Frequent changes to your eyeglass prescription

If you routinely check your eyes at the doctor’s, your ophthalmologist can help you address this problem. Many people find that surgery restores their vision and rids their eyes of the cloudy film.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a buildup of pressure that damages your eye’s optic nerve, the nerve connecting your eye to your brain. Prolonged damage without treatment can cause vision loss.

Common symptoms include:

Seeing halos around lights
Redness
Upset stomach and vomiting
Eye pain

If your eye doctor diagnoses you with glaucoma, there isn’t a reversal treatment. Your opthamologist in Tampa can prescribe medicines to slow down the deterioration or recommend surgery, which can help you maintain your current lifestyle.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration, commonly referred to as AMD, doesn’t cause complete blindness, but it does cause a person to lose their central vision.

This eye problem causes trouble with your retina, which helps the eye focus.

Common symptoms of AMD include:

Blurry vision
Straight lines appear wavy
Loss of central vision
A dark spot in the middle of your eye

Although AMD isn’t reversible, your doctor can help you treat it and slow down its progression with treatment and surgery if caught early enough.

Talk to an Ophthalmologist in Tampa

Eye diseases happen, and you shouldn’t ignore symptoms, especially if you’re having trouble seeing. Although we can’t reverse all conditions, there are many treatment plans available to help you retain your vision for as long as possible.

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to these eye and vision problems, contact Florida Eye Center to request an appointment with an eye specialist in Tampa today.

Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Florida Eye Center website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services provided by the medical professionals at Florida Eye Center or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Florida Eye Center. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Florida Eye Center is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.

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