Our Eyes Are A Window Into Our Soul
There exists an old saying in American culture: “The eyes are a window to the soul.”
How do eyes work?
There are many different parts of the eye that helps to create vision. Theoretically, our eyes collect visual information and send to our brain so that we can see things.
Firstly, light passes through the cornea, and reach the lens in our eyes. The lens further focuses light, or an image onto the retina that full with photosensitive tissue. With the photoreceptor cells in the retina, the light, or image are converted into electrical signals and travel to our brain.
Common Eye Conditions
As light enters our eye, several things can happen to cause distorted vision. National Ever Survey II (NES II) in Malaysia found that the prevalence of bilateral blindness was 0.29%, prevalence of low vision was 2.44%.
Besides, it also found that the main cause of blindness in Malaysia population was cataract (39.1%) and the main cause of low vision was refractive error (48.3%). In addition, the prevalence of diabetic retionpathy among diabetic patients aged 40 years and above is 14.6%.
Here are some common refractive error conditions and eye problems that develop as your eyes age.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
This is the most common eye problems and results in distant objects being blurred. It typically occur when the eye is too long and light from distant objects focuses in front of, rather than on, the retina.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
This condition results in inability to see things that are up close. It usually happen when the eye is too short and light from near objects focuses behind or beyond the retina.
Astigmatism
This is an uneven or irregular shape of cornea, the front surface of eyes, or lens, the part of eye that focuses light onto retina.
Presbyopia
This hardening of the lens is the result of aging and typically begins to affect people between the ages of 40 and 50. Without the flexibility, the lens is unable to change shape and focus the light. Thus, results in the loss of up-close vision and a need for reading glasses.
Cataracts
This condition are also related to aging and caused by the accumulation of dead cells in the lens. This clouds the lens and inhibits light from passing through it, and blurring the vision gradually. It can caused blindness if untreated and are the leading cuase of blindness.
Glaucoma
This is the second leading cause of blindness, is usually the result of too much pressure building up within the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve, the part of eyes that carry electrical signal to the brain.
Dry Eye
Dry Eye is a condition caused by changes in the quantity and quality of tears. This is the most common conditions reported to doctors nowadays.
Age-related Mascular Degeneration (AMD)
The macula is a small area in the center of the retina that accounts for the eye’s ability to see fine detail. As it deteriorates with age, this can result in severe vision loss. The most common form is often referred to as “dry AMD”, which tends to progress very slowly. “Wet AMD” is more severe, often causing sudden loss of central vision.
Our eyes are so important in our life. Thus, we can do many things to keep healthy eyes well into golden years.
Do check out on following post that provide simple tips to maintain eye health!
