HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Eye Conditions

Glaucoma

Eye Conditions

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss.

Signs & Symptoms

For Chronic (Open-Angle) Glaucoma

This type takes place gradually, and causes no symptoms early on. Loss of side (peripheral) vision and blurred vision are the first signs.

Later, symptoms include:

* Vision loss in side and central vision, usually in both eyes.

* Blind spots. Seeing halos around lights.

* Poor night vision.

* Blindness, if not treated early.

For Acute (Angle-Closure) Glaucoma

This type is a medical emergency! These symptoms occur suddenly:

* Severe eye pain and nausea.

* Blurred vision. Seeing halos around lights.

* Redness in the eye. Swollen upper eyelid.

* Severe headache that throbs.

Causes

Glaucoma occurs when the pressure of the liquid in the eye gets too high and causes damage to the optic nerve. Increased eye pressure without damage is not glaucoma, but increases the risk for it. Antihistamines and long-term corticosteroid use can trigger or worsen glaucoma.

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

* Being over age 60, especially Mexican Americans.

* Being African American over age 40.

* Having a family history of glaucoma.

* Having diabetes.

* Being nearsighted.

Treatment

Treatments help with current vision. They do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma. Glaucoma may not be preventable, but the blindness that could result from it is. Get tested for glaucoma when you get regular vision exams. If pressure inside the eyeball is high, an eye doctor will prescribe treatment. This includes:

Medicines used for acute glaucoma are prescribed for life. If medicines do not control the pressure, your doctor may advise:

* Laser beam surgery.

* Surgery that drains fluid from the eye.

* Medicines. These are the most common early form of treatment.

– Prescribed eye drops or pills lower eye pressure, cause the eye to make less fluid, or help drain fluid from the eye.

– Take medicines on a regular basis.

– Let your eye doctor know of side effects.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Do not take any medicine, including over-the-counter ones, without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Most cold medications and sleeping pills, for example, can cause the pupil in the eye to dilate. This can lead to increased eye pressure.

* If prescribed eye drops for glaucoma, use them as directed.

* Ask your eye doctor about low vision services and devices.

* Try not to get upset and fatigued. These can increase pressure in the eye.

Resources

National Eye Institute (NEI)

www.nei.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Simple Steps To Save Your Sight

WELL-BEING

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause of blindness in older adults. AMD damages central vision, which means things like reading, driving and seeing faces are limited or impossible. There is no cure for AMD, but there are procedures and steps you can take to help save vision. Lower your risk of getting AMD with these tips:

*Don’t smoke.Studies show that smoking increases the risk of AMD. Smokers are twice as likely to get AMD as nonsmokers. If you do smoke, take steps to quit.

*Know your family history.People with a close relative who has AMD have a 50 percent chance of getting AMD. Detecting AMD early means you could save your vision.

*Eat a healthy diet.People who eat omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, are less likely to get AMD. Also, focus on eating leafy greens such as spinach, kale and leafy lettuce. Eat plenty of whole fruits (not fruit juice).

*Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol.Eating a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol raises the risk of getting AMD. Avoid processed (packaged) foods with unhealthy saturated and trans fats.

*Be active.Exercise may keep your eyes healthy. Exercising at least three times per week can reduce your risk of getting AMD.

*See your eye doctor regularly.An eye doctor can catch AMD early with an eye exam. Find out how often you should have your eyes checked.

*Protect your eyes from the sun.Always wear sunglasses that have 100 percent UV protection when you are outside. For additional coverage, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

*Get regular checkups from your doctor.Keeping cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure under control also helps maintain healthy eyes.

*Your vision is too important to leave to chance.A healthy lifestyle and good medical care can help you avoid AMD or catch it early, before it damages your sight.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Macular Degeneration Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Guard Against Macular Degeneration

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of central vision loss for those over 55 years of age. The central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates, leading to loss of “straight ahead” vision. One or both eyes can be affected. If you are 50 years of age or older, ask your eye doctor to check for macular degeneration at routine vision exams. Ask, too, for a simple home screening device that lets you check for signs of macular degeneration on your own.

To reduce the risk for macular degeneration:

* Keep your blood pressure at a normal level.

* Maintain a healthy weight.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Wear sunglasses with UV block. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

* Talk to your doctor about taking a high dose vitamin and mineral supplement to reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Importance Of Proper Eye Care

SELF-CARE CORNER

Many people don’t think about their eyes until they start to hurt or develop a problem. But even if your eyes feel fine, they need proper care to keep them healthy. Follow the advice of the National Eye Institute:

Get regular eye exams.

Your doctor can recommend a schedule for you, depending on your age and other health factors. Many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration, don’t have obvious symptoms. An eye exam can find these problems early, when they’re most treatable.

Eat a healthy diet.

Your eyes benefit from a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids. Talk with your doctor about the right diet for you.

Keep them shaded.

Wear sunglasses that have at least 99 percent UVA and UVB protection when you’re outside.

Don’t smoke.

Smoking hurts your health in many ways, including your sight. It increases your risk of eye problems that can lead to blindness. It’s never too late to quit. For free resources to help you quit, visitsmokefree.gov.

Protect your eyes.

Cover your face and eyes with goggles or a full-face mask when playing sports or doing work. Wear safety goggles when working with power tools and sharp objects. Follow your employer’s guidelines for wearing eye protection. Encourage your coworkers to do the same.

Know your family history.

If there are eye problems in your family, tell your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Eye Irritations & Injuries

Eye Conditions

As you age, your eyes can get irritated more easily because they make less tears. Poorer vision increases the risk for eye injuries.

Signs & Symptoms

You feel burning, dryness, itching, and/or pain and swelling in one or both eyes.

Causes

For Eye Irritation:

Causes include particles in the eye; too much sun exposure, low humidity; strong wind; and scratches from contact lenses. Other causes are allergies, infections, and conditions that make your eyes dry.

For Eye Injuries:

Causes include a physical blow to the eye; harsh chemicals; and a foreign body that is stuck in the eye.

Mild eye irritations and injuries can be treated with self-care. More serious problems need medical care.

Treatment

* Wear safety glasses for activities that expose your eyes to sawdust, etc.

* When using harsh chemicals, wear rubber gloves and protective glasses. Don’t rub your eyes if you’ve touched harsh chemicals. Turn your head away from chemical vapors.

* To help prevent dry eyes, use a humidifier and limit exposure to smoke, dust, and wind. Avoid alcohol.

* Use artificial tear drops with your doctor’s okay.

* Don’t stare directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse.

* Wear sunglasses that block UV rays.

* Don’t use eye makeup when an allergy or chemical irritant bothers your eye(s).

Self-Care / Prevention

To Ease the Discomfort of Dry Eyes:

With your doctor’s okay, use over-the-counter artificial tear drops, such as Ocu-Lube. Read the label. Refrigerate the solution, if needed. Wash your hands before using.

To Treat an Insect Bite Without a Severe Allergic Reaction:

* Wash the eye(s) with warm water.

* Take an antihistamine if okay with your doctor.

To Remove a Foreign Particle On the White of the Eye or Inside the Eyelids:

* Do not remove an object imbedded in the eye, a metal chip, or a foreign body over the colored part of the eye. (See “First Aid for Foreign Body Sticking Into the Eye” on this page.)

* Wash your hands.

* If the foreign object is under the upper lid, have the person look down and pull the upper lid away from the eyeball by gently grabbing the eyelashes. Press a cotton-tipped swab down on the skin surface of the upper eyelid and pull it up and toward the brow. The upper lid will invert. Touch and remove the debris with the tip of the tissue.

* Twist a piece of tissue, moisten the tip with tap water (not saliva) and gently try to touch the speck with the tip. Carefully pass the tissue over the speck, which should cling to the tip.

* Do not rub the eye or use tweezers or anything sharp to remove a foreign object.

* Gently wash the eye with cool water.

To Treat a Bruise from a Minor Injury that Surrounds the Eye but Does Not Damage the Eye Itself:

* Put a cold compress over the injured area right away. Keep doing this for 15 minutes, every hour, for 48 hours.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine

* After 48 hours, put a warm compress over the injured area.

* Seek medical attention if these measures do not help.

First Aid for Foreign Body Sticking Into the Eye Before Immediate Care:

* Do not remove the object.

* Don’t press on, touch, or rub the eye.

* Cover the injured eye with a paper cup or other clean object that will not touch the eye or the foreign object. Hold the paper cup in place with tape without putting pressure on the eye or the foreign object.

* Gently cover the uninjured eye with a clean bandage and tape, too, to keep the injured eye still.

First Aid for Harmful Chemicals in the Eye(s) Before Immediate Care:

* Flush the eye(s) with water immediately!

* Hold the injured eye open with your thumb and forefinger.

* At the faucet or with a pitcher or other clean container, flush the eye with a lot of water. Start at the inside corner and pour downward to the outside corner. This lets the water drain away from the body and keeps it from getting in the other eye.

* Keep pouring the water for 10 to 30 or more minutes. Flush the eye with water until you get medical help.

* If both eyes are injured, pour water over both eyes at the same time or quickly alternate the above procedure from one eye to another. Or, place the victim’s face in a sink or container filled with water. Tell the victim to move his or her eyelids up and down and remove the face from the water at intervals in order to breathe. Use this method on yourself if you are the victim and are alone.

* Loosely bandage the eye with sterile cloth and tape. Don’t touch the eye.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

You have any of these problems:

* Eye pain with eye irritation

* An eye that is red and/or swollen

* Yellow-green pus is under the eyelid or drains from the eye.

Get Immediate Care When:

* Harmful chemicals have gotten into the eye(s). {Note: Before you get immediate care, give “First Aid for Harmful Chemicals in the Eye(s) Before Immediate Care” on this page.}

* A foreign body sticks into the eye. {Note: See “First Aid for Foreign Body Sticking Into the Eye Before Immediate Care” on this page.}

* A cut to the eye or eyelid occurs.

* Any of these problems occurs with a blow to the eye or other eye injury:

– Loss of vision

– Blurred or double vision

– Blood in the pupil

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Under Pressure: What To Know About Glaucoma

MEDICAL NEWS

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60, so it’s important to know what you can do about it.

Glaucoma happens when too much fluid builds up in the eye. This extra fluid causes pressure that damages the optic nerve. This damage cannot be undone once it happens. It can lead to loss of all or part of your vision. But, glaucoma can be managed and the damage to vision can be decreased with proper medical care.

People at highest risk for glaucoma

Anyone can get glaucoma. But certain groups of people may be more likely to get it, including:

* People with a family history of glaucoma

* African Americans over age 40

* Anyone over age 60, but Mexican Americans are especially at risk

* People who have high eye pressure, thin corneas or optic nerve problems

* People with high blood pressure that’s not well controlled

Signs and symptoms

Glaucoma often doesn’t have early signs and symptoms until damage has already been done. That’s why getting regular eye exams is so important. For many people, the first sign of glaucoma is loss of their peripheral (side) vision.

Don’t assume you don’t have glaucoma because your eyes “feel fine.” Many people develop glaucoma without any symptoms.

What can you do about glaucoma?

Glaucoma has no cure, but there are things you can do to slow it down and save your vision:

* If you have glaucoma, take your medicines every day. Ask your eye doctor how often you need to be seen, and stick to your appointments.

* Get a complete eye exam at least every 2 years or as often as recommended. This includes a dilated eye exam.

* Even if you don’t have glaucoma, ask your eye doctor about your risk. This includes telling your doctor about any family history of glaucoma.

People with certain risk factors for glaucoma may be given special eye drops. These drops can lower the risk of getting glaucoma but they must be used regularly to be effective.

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you and your doctor will discuss what treatment is best for you. It may depend on what type of glaucoma you have and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

* Eye drops that lower pressure in the eye

* Surgery done with a laser that helps the eye drain fluid better

* Traditional surgery that may include placing a new drainage tube in the eye

Save your sight – see your eye doctor to get checked for glaucoma!

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Macular Degeneration

Eye Conditions

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disorder. Known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it is the most common cause of central vision loss in older Americans. The central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates. This results in the loss of central (straight-ahead) vision. One or both eyes may be affected. The most common type is called the dry form. With this, cells under the retina do not function well, causing subtle to overt blank spots in central vision. Only 1 to 2% of people with the dry form have a lot of vision loss. In the wet form, tiny blood vessels leak blood or fluid around the macula. The wet form is less common than the dry form. It causes more vision loss, though.

Signs & Symptoms

Macular degeneration is painless. It usually develops gradually, especially the dry form. With the wet form, symptoms can occur more rapidly. Symptoms for both forms are:

* Blurred or cloudy vision.

* Seeing a dark or blind spot at the center of vision.

* A hard time reading or doing other close-up work.

* A hard time doing any activity, such as driving, that needs sharp vision.

* Complete loss of central vision. Side vision is not affected.

Cover one eye and stare at the center dot in this grid. Seeing blurry, curvy, or distorted lines or empty spots could be a sign of macular degeneration. Repeat, covering the other eye.

This grid shows how the lines might look to someone with macular degeneration.

Causes

The exact cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not known. Risk factors are:

* Advancing age.

* Cigarette smoking. High blood pressure.

* Family history of AMD.

* Having light-colored eyes.

* Exposure to ultraviolet light.

* Poor diet.

Treatment

Treatment for the wet form includes photodynamic therapy and laser therapy. Medicine called “anti-VEGF therapy” can also be given. Most dry form cases are not treatable. Your eye doctor may prescribe special eyeglasses and low vision aids. He or she may also prescribe a specific high dose vitamin and mineral to reduce the risk of advanced AMD.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Reduce the Risk for AMD

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Follow a healthy diet. Include green leafy vegetables and fish.

* Protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Wear sunglasses with UV block. Wear a hat with a wide brim.

* Use Self-Care / Prevention measures to control high blood pressure and heart disease.

To Treat AMD

* Wear the special eyeglasses and use other vision aids, such as magnifying devices, as advised by your doctor.

* Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

Resources

Macular Degeneration Foundation

www.eyesight.org

National Eye Institute (NEI)

www.nei.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What Do You Do 100 Times A Day?

WELL-BEING

You check your smartphone 100 times a day, or spend 2 or more hours every day on a digital device, says The Vision Council. The result: digital eye strain.

Digital eye strain-experienced by a majority of American adults-is characterized as temporary physical discomfort such as redness, irritation or dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, back and neck pain, and headaches.

Several environmental factors can contribute to the condition, including the size of the text on screens, time spent at devices, posture, computer setup, existing vision issues, and the blue light emitted from digital screens and lighting.

Relieve digital eye strain this way:

* Remember the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.

* Build an optimal workspace to lessen stressors-this includes adjusting lighting, computer screen height, and your posture.

* Increase the text size on your devices to better define the content on your screen.

* Visit an eye care provider to learn more about computer eyewear and lens options that can help reduce symptoms of digital eye strain and improve vision

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Eye Conditions

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the covering of the inside of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes. The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. It is called pink eye when the cause is a bacterial or viral infection. This is because the white part of the eye looks pinkish-red. Conjunctivitis can also be due to an allergic reaction.

Signs & Symptoms

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Pink Eye

* Wash your hands often. Don’t share towels, washcloths, etc.

* Avoid contact with other people as much as you can until you have used the prescribed antibiotic eye drops, etc. for 24 hours. Follow the rules of your workplace about pink eye. For children, follow the rules of their school.

* With your eyes closed, apply a cotton ball soaked in warm (not hot) water to the affected eye 3 to 4 times a day. Do this for at least 5 minutes at a time. Use a clean cotton ball each time.

* Throw away any makeup that could be contaminated. Don’t wear eye makeup until the infection is all cleared up. Don’t share makeup with others.

* Don’t share eye drops with others.

* Don’t put a cover or patch over the eye. This can make the infection grow.

* Don’t wear contact lenses while your eyes are infected. Replace contact lenses or disinfect them twice before re-using.

For Allergic Conjunctivitis

* Avoid things you know you are allergic to.

* Use over-the-counter eye drops. These soothe irritation and help relieve itching.

* Apply a washcloth rinsed in cold water to the eyes. Do this several times a day.

* Use protective eyewear when you work with chemicals and fumes.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
See The Light In Healthy Ways

Eye Conditions

* Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) uses 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, but contain tiny amounts of mercury. Recycle them according to your state’s guidelines. To safely dispose of a broken CFL, follow EPA guidelines fromepa.gov/hg.

* Wear eyewear that protects your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light when it is sunny and even on cloudy days. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.

* Wear a wide-brimmed hat during outdoor activities.

* Open blinds and curtains to let daylight fill rooms during the day.

* Install a skylight or solar panels for light and warmth and to save on cooling, heating, and lighting costs.

* Turn off lights when not in use. Install motion sensors, timers, and task lighting to save on light usage. One to two hours before bedtime, dim the lights.

* Wear protective eyewear during sporting events. Before mowing the lawn, look for and remove debris.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026