Over half the population has some kind of vision impairment. Many of these impairments can be corrected with eyeglasses or contacts. Your vision may not be related to other things happening with your health, but in some cases, your vision can be affected by another health issue.
It’s good to be aware of some of the conditions that can have a connection to your vision so that you can learn how to treat them, or even avoid them altogether. Here are some health issues that can affect your sight.
Autoimmune Disorders
Your autoimmune system defends you against infectious agents in your body. If your autoimmune system is compromised in any way, you can experience symptoms throughout your body, including your eyes. There are a host of autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes, which can cause vision loss.
Other vision issues that you may experience with autoimmune disorders include blurred or cloudy vision, double vision, dry eyes, and sensitivity to light. Many of these symptoms can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can affect the eyes in a range of ways. You are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. You may have blurriness, floaters, difficulty with color perception, and possible blindness. A good solution may be treatment with laser surgery. There are excellent providers of laser surgery, such as the Wolfe Eye Clinic. The staff and doctors will ensure that you receive a comprehensive evaluation of your ocular health, and information on how laser surgery can improve your vision.
Allergies
Your eyes are often affected by the body’s reaction to allergens. You may experience itchiness, tearing, and redness when exposed to irritants. The best way to address these symptoms is by avoiding the allergens that cause them. When that is not possible, you can treat allergies with over-the-counter medicines, allergy shots, and eye drops.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by a species of tick, and can cause eye problems such as conjunctivitis, double vision, corneal inflammation, and even loss of vision. It is treated with antibiotics.
High Blood Pressure
When your blood pressure is high, you are not just at risk for heart problems. Your eyes may also be affected, causing headaches and vision problems. There are a variety of ways to lessen the effects of high blood pressure, such as medication, weight loss, and regular exercise.
Aging
You probably know from personal experience that your eyesight changes as you get older. Aside from your near-sightedness changing to far-sightedness, or a combination of both, aging puts you at risk for cataracts, dry eye, low vision, macular degeneration, and more. Some eye conditions will not exhibit symptoms, so the wisest course is to have your eyes checked often.
Losing your eyesight can limit you in the simplest of daily tasks. Being aware of the causes and symptoms of eye problems, and getting regular exams and proper treatment, will ensure that you have the best sight possible.