| Eye problems range from mild to severe in | | | | has tried to make its way into your eye while |
| symptoms and conditions. With various types of | | | | you were sleeping. |
| problems that range from dry eyes to bloodshot | | | | A bacteria invasion can lead to a more serious |
| eyes, and from eye discharge and puffy eyes, | | | | condition like Blepharitis, which is an inflammation |
| we have to remember that our vision is our most | | | | at the base of your eyelashes that produces the |
| important sense, our windows to the world, and | | | | thick, yellowish pus filled with bacteria-fighting |
| therefore if problems occur it's best to seek the | | | | white blood cells. Other, more serious causes of |
| advice of an eye care professional immediately. | | | | eye discharge can be associated with medical |
| Ophthalmologists and/or optometrists are your | | | | conditions such as Conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. |
| best option. Unlike opticians, they can do it all. | | | | A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer |
| They perform exams, diagnose, treat, and | | | | of the cornea and is associated with infections |
| prescribe medicines, glasses and contact lenses. | | | | and bacteria. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or |
| Where as, opticians can only perform exams and | | | | infection of the membrane that lines the eyelids. |
| write prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. | | | | Both of these conditions could lead to more |
| Bloodshot eyes, or "red eyes" are the most | | | | severe problems, so again, if the problem is |
| common condition. The red eyes could be due to | | | | constant and consistent, seek medical attention. |
| an illness, injury, eye infection, tiredness, or other | | | | Things you can do at home to relieve the |
| condition such as allergies. Bloodshot eyes are | | | | problem is using a warm washcloth, letting it sit |
| caused by the enlarged and dilated blood vessels | | | | over your eyes for a short period of time. The |
| in the surface of the eye (conjunctiva) becoming | | | | warmth loosens the crust and allows you to open |
| irritated. This can be a medical emergency or a | | | | your eyes. Contaminated cosmetics are the |
| medical non-emergency. Don't be surprised if the | | | | leading cause to eye infection, and if not thrown |
| doctor doesn't take immediate action if you arrive | | | | away you'll be reapplying the bacteria. Avoid |
| in their office with red eyes, especially if you | | | | sharing towels and washcloths if possible. This can |
| suffer from allergies or lack of sleep. | | | | spread bacteria quickly and either give yourself or |
| Other times, red eyes can be of concern and a | | | | others the problem. |
| red flag that there is a more serious problem | | | | Watery eyes are ironically a main cause of dry |
| lurking such as Blepharitis, Conjunctivitis, Corneal | | | | eyes. It is absolutely necessary for your eyes to |
| Ulcers or Acute Glaucoma. If you're experiencing | | | | replenish themselves repeatedly everyday. |
| other symptoms such as discharge or pain | | | | However, too many tears can actually begin to |
| associated with the redness, you might want to | | | | reverse the good and start working against itself. |
| schedule an appointment with your eye care | | | | Also known as Epiphora, it's important to note |
| professional or primary care doctor to see if one | | | | that tearing is not an emergency. Yes it can be |
| of these conditions is present. To relieve the | | | | annoying, but it can also be treated. The cause of |
| problem, try your best not to touch or rub your | | | | watery eyes can range from dry eyes to |
| eyes. If it's allergy related, try antihistamines and | | | | allergies, from environmental irritants to age or |
| or eye drops or artificial tears. If the environment | | | | even clogged tear ducts. Eye conditions such as |
| is bothering your eyes, change your location. Stay | | | | Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis can also be the cause |
| away from pets and pollens if possible. You could | | | | of watery eyes. Before treating the watery |
| also try using an ice pack over your eyes. The | | | | eyes, you have to first know the reason. Each |
| coolness of the pack relieves different symptoms | | | | cause has a different treatment. Artificial tears or |
| like swelling and pain, and could alleviate the | | | | eye drops can re-wet your eyes, while over the |
| redness. You could also consider rinsing your eyes | | | | counter antihistamines can alleviate allergy or |
| with warm and cool water. | | | | environmental irritant symptoms. Many older |
| Eye Pain on the other hand, is a much more | | | | people experience watery eyes. |
| serious problem. Some describe it as stabbing, | | | | This is due to aging and a lack of quality tear |
| throbbing, aching, burning or the feeling that | | | | production, and usually there is another underlying |
| "something is in your eye". Many people seek | | | | problem. Older people should see their eye care |
| medical treatment when they're experiencing pain | | | | professionals more often to help pinpoint problems |
| in their eyes. The word pain is generally open for | | | | they experience before it turns into something |
| interpretation. Some people describe it as in their | | | | worse. |
| eyes, around their eyes or behind their eyes. The | | | | If vision changes, such as blurriness, eye spots, |
| causes of eye pain can be one of two forms; | | | | floaters, halos or even blindness occur, this could |
| ocular pain or orbital pain. Ocular pain comes from | | | | be a sign that there is a much more serious |
| the outer structure of the eye and can be caused | | | | problem within your eyes. Vision changes should |
| by either Conjunctivitis, Styes, Blepharitis, Corneal | | | | never be ignored, so if you are having any you |
| Abrasions or Ulcers and Chemical Burns. | | | | should seek medical attention immediately. Never |
| Orbital pain is caused by a disease of the eye and | | | | let vision changes persist or continue. The changes |
| can be described as a deep, dull ache behind or | | | | will only develop into serious, severe problems, |
| within the eye itself. Some of the diseases that | | | | diseases and conditions. Presbyopia, Cataracts, |
| can cause orbital pain are Glaucoma, Migraines, | | | | Glaucoma, Retinal Detachment, Floaters, Macular |
| Trauma, Optic Neuritis, and Iritis. Whatever is | | | | Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy are all |
| causing your eye pain, you should seek medical | | | | serious eye diseases that will cause changes in |
| attention for treatment. But if you think you | | | | your vision. Other possible causes of vision |
| know what the problem is and do not feel like | | | | changes can be simple fixes like fatigue, |
| you'd need a doctor, try different things at home | | | | medications and overexposure to the outdoors. |
| such as flushing your eyes with lukewarm water | | | | Medications that can affect your vision include |
| or commercial eye solutions. Just like with other | | | | antihistamines, high blood pressure medication, |
| eye problems, avoid touching or rubbing your | | | | anticholinergics, and medications for malaria, as |
| eyes until you seek treatment or the problem | | | | well as many others. Talk with your eye care |
| resolves. | | | | professional about any other medications you are |
| Eye discharge is that icky, sticky, yellowish | | | | taking, as this may be the cause of your vision |
| substance that comes out of your eye. Most | | | | changes. The biggest thing you can do in |
| people experience this in the morning when they | | | | preventing and treating vision changes is to see |
| wake up. Nine times out of ten it's harmless. The | | | | your eye care professional on a regular basis. |
| discharge is actually apart of your body's natural | | | | Doing other things such as wearing sunglasses |
| defense system. The one time out of ten, there | | | | while outdoors, eating foods rich in antioxidants |
| is a more serious problem. So if the discharge | | | | (leafy greens), avoiding alcohol, drugs or smoking |
| persists and is constant, seek medical treatment. | | | | and watching cholesterol levels will reduce the |
| The first and the most common reason is waking | | | | chances of vision changes for many years. But |
| up with discharge in the corners of your eyes. | | | | remember, vision changes are bound to happen |
| This discharge is a sign that some form of | | | | to all of us once we reach a certain age, so it's |
| bacteria, either from make-up or extra oily skin | | | | best we do our best to maintain good vision. |