No matter how healthy you are, how much you work out, and what kind of diet you are on, eye problems can happen to anyone at any time. This is very frustrating for people who have to deal with eye problems as they can make it difficult to see, interfere with work, and be quite painful. If you have been having problems with your eyes and aren’t sure if you have a problem that needs medical attention, then you will likely want to do your research before calling the doctor. By comparing your symptoms to those of these common eye problems, you will already have an idea of the treatment plan that your doctor will suggest when you make your appointment.
This eye problem is more commonly known by its description: pinkeye. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergen, or irritant and results in a sore, inflamed eye that oozes a thick discharge and is incredibly itchy. Conjunctivitis is very contagious and easy to spread simply by touching the infected eye and then another person, sheets, glasses, or any item that another person uses. Because it is so contagious, getting medication from a doctor is important to stop the pain of the problem and to keep it from spreading to others.
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that is commonly mistaken for conjunctivitis but generally involves both eyelids and occurs where the eyelashes grow. When the small oil glands near the eyelashes become clogged, the eyes will quickly become irritated and red. This chronic condition is very difficult to treat and can be uncomfortable but is not contagious and will not damage a patient’s eyesight. Watch for watery eyes, a loss of eyelashes, and eyelids that appear greasy as some of the symptoms of this medical problem.
Another common eye problem is keratitis. Because its symptoms are similar to other eye problems, patients have to seek medical care to get a correct diagnosis. Caused by disease, injury, or infection, its main symptoms are decreased vision, pain, redness in the eyes, and blurry sight. Prompt treatment is necessary to keep the patient from losing his or her sight and can be completed with antibiotics.
The most important thing to remember if you are having eye problems of any kind is that a doctor is the only person who can correctly diagnose your medical problem as well as get you the necessary medication. While it can be tempting to avoid treatment and wait and see if your eye problem will get better, this is not the best course of action, no matter what your diagnosis ends up being. Your doctor will ensure that you get the treatment that you need and that your eyes do not suffer from any lasting problems.