What is the most common eye problem?

1. Dry Eye.

   Dry eye is one of the most common eye problems. It occurs when your eye doesn’t produce enough tears or the right kind of tears. Your eye can become inflamed and painful. Chronic dry eye can make it uncomfortable to read or use a computer. Symptoms include:

   • A feeling that something is in your eye
   • Red eyes
   • Burning or itchy eyes
   • Sensitivity to light
   • Blurry vision
2. Diabetic Retinopathy.

   Retinopathy is the most common eye problem in people with diabetes. High blood sugar damages the retina and may cause it to detach. This can lead to vision loss. You might not have symptoms in the early stages of this disease. But see your eye doctor right away if you notice:

   • Spots or floating strings in your vision
   • Blurry vision
   • Dark or blank areas in your vision
   • Vision that changes from blurry to clear
   • Colors seem washed out
   • Vision loss
3. Cataracts.

   As we age, the lenses in our eyes can become cloudy. Cataracts may not disturb your vision at first. But as they get worse, it may become hard to read or drive a car, especially at night. Signs of cataracts include:

   • Foggy vision
   • Difficulty seeing at night
   • Need for bright light to read or see fine detail
   • Seeing halos around lights
   • Fading colors
   • Sensitivity to light and glare
4. Glaucoma.

   Glaucoma is a common eye disease in people over age 40 and a leading cause of blindness in those over age 60. Fluid builds up in the front part of your eye and damages the optic nerve. In its early stages, glaucoma may have no symptoms. So you may not know you have it. Some of the symptoms you may notice first include:

   • Loss of side vision
   • Seeing halos around lights
   • Tunnel vision
   • Eye pain or redness
5. Macular Degeneration.

   Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss among older Americans. The central part of the retina, called the macula, wears away with age. It can cause blind spots in your central vision. It may become hard to read, drive, watch TV, and recognize faces. Most people do not have any signs in early stages. As the disease progresses, you may notice changes in your vision, including:

   • Straight lines seem bent
   • Dark, blurry areas in the center of your vision
   • Difficulty recognizing faces
   • Difficulty seeing fine details
6. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) :
   • Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids, often caused by infection or allergies.

Regular eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision!