Eye diseases affect millions of Americans every year, and the eye doctors at West Valley Vision Center in Fairbanks, AK, are dedicated to promoting preventative care. They provide guidance to their patients about many types of eye disease because awareness of the signs and symptoms will lead to early detection and more effective treatment.

They offer this list of common eye diseases and symptoms: 

5 Common Eye Diseases & Their Symptoms 

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye, is one of the most common eye ailments. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacterial infections, allergies, or irritation, and its early signs include swelling, itching, redness, and burning. 

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when your eyes’ lenses become cloudy. Cataracts can result in blindness, especially in elderly people, but surgery can restore vision or stop the progression of vision loss. Early signs of cataracts are blurred vision, cloudy vision, light sensitivity, and color distortion. 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a category of eye diseases. Advanced glaucoma can result in blindness, but early detection may prevent vision loss. The trickiest thing about glaucoma is there aren’t many symptoms in the early stages, so it’s a good idea to have an eye exam every year. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy develops in individuals who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. There are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but blurred or spotty vision, color distortion, and vision loss are common as it progresses. People with diabetes should have annual eye exams to promote early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. 

Macular Degeneration 

Most macular degeneration is related to aging, and it’s the No. 1 cause of vision loss. People 55 and older are at the highest risk of developing this eye disease. Common symptoms include distorted vision, difficulty adjusting to different lighting, and blurriness when reading or writing. 

Something as simple as a regular eye exam goes a long way toward preventing common eye diseases. To schedule an appointment at West Valley Vision Center in Fairbanks, call (907) 479-4700. Visit their website for more information about eye exams and optometry services.