Eye Symptoms and Next Steps

Eyes are susceptible to a variety of diseases that can impact your vision and quality of life. Eye diseases range from minor irritations to serious vision-threatening problems. This is a list of eye diseases:

Blepharitis: inflammation of eyelids and causes itchy and irritated lids, often caused by bacteria or clogged by oil glands. It’s commonly associated with dry eye.

• Symptoms: Itchy irritated eyelids with crusty buildup or discharge
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Examine your eyelids and glands. Treatment may include over-the-counter remedies or prescription medications.

Corneal diseases: encompasses a range of conditions that can affect the cornea and lead to changes in vision, such as blurred vision, pain, and even vision loss.

• Symptoms: Blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and sometimes pain
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Evaluate the cornea and recommend treatment, which may include eye drops or surgery.

Diplopia: double vision can arise from many different issues, including misalignment of the eyes, nerve problems, or other medical conditions. Double vision can affect one or both eyes.

• Symptoms: May appear side by side, up and down, or diagonally. It can be intermittent or constant.
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Measure the degree of double vision and determine the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying issue.

Ptosis and Dermatochalasis: drooping eyelids, involve extra folds of skin in the eyelids that can obstruct vision, both conditions can worsen with age.

• Symptoms: Dropping eyelids or extra skin folds that may obstruct vision
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Assess eyelids drooping with a peripheral vision test. If surgery is necessary, you may be referred to a plastic surgeon or treated in-house by an oculoplastics specialist, depending on the case.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage: an area of redness in the eye that is caused by a broken blood vessel, also seen as blood in the eye (conjunctiva). This is usually harmless

• Symptoms: A painless red spot in the eye that doesn’t affect vision
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Confirm there are no underlying issues and reassure you. Eye drops can be used if desired.

Eye infections: bacterial or viral (commonly referred to as pink eye) leading to inflammation and irritation.

• Symptoms: Discharge, watery eyes, or itching
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Prescribe eye drops, either over-the-counter or prescription based on the infection type.

Eye neoplasm: tumors that can develop in different areas of the eye and may be benign or malignant.

• Symptoms: Changes in peripheral vision or other unusual signs
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Typically refer you to a specialist for further evaluation

Eye visual field defects: blind spots or loss of peripheral vision caused by a stroke, glaucoma, or even droopy lids

• Symptoms: Loss of peripheral vision
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Perform visual field testing and recommend treatment or specialist referrals, depending on the cause

Eyelid disorders: droopy lids, dry eye, or myokymia (eye twitch)

• Symptoms: Droopy lids, dryness, or an eyelid twitch that comes and goes
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Reassure and if necessary suggest treatments for underlying causes like dry eye or blepharitis

Iritis, uveitis, and iridocyclitis: inflammation in the eye is most commonly caused by inflammatory conditions or autoimmune

• Symptoms: Pain and light sensitivity
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Perform a workup to determine the cause and if needed, coordinate with your primary care physician for further treatment

Keratitis: inflammation or infection of the cornea, often caused by injury, infection, or wearing contact lenses improperly, usually resulting in cloudy vision

• Symptoms: Blurred vision and sometimes pain
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Recommend over-the-counter drops or in severe cases surgery

Retina diseases: conditions that affect the retina, including wet or dry macular degeneration

• Symptoms: Gradual or sudden blurred vision, often in one eye
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Take retinal images and if necessary, refer you to a retina specialist

Tear duct (blocked): blockage of tear duck which occurs when the drainage system for tears becomes obstructed leading to eyes watering and dripping down a person’s face

• Symptoms: Water eyes and constant tearing down the face
• What your eye doctor will do/steps: Test for blockage and perform a procedure to open the tear duct. Severe cases may require referral to an Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.

Early detection and treatment of eye disease are important to maintain vision and prevent vision loss. Regular eye exams are essential to identify potential problems and address them promptly.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or have concerns about your eye health contact your eye doctor or call 218.720.3553 to schedule an appointment.