Common causes of vision and eye health problems
Causes of vision and eye health problems
Инструкция
In this topic you will learn about common reasons for vision and eye health problems.
Vision and eye health problems can be caused by:
- Cataracts
- диабет
- глазные инфекции
- Some illnesses, especially in young children
- Problems at birth
- Allergies
- Dry eye
- Injuries
- High blood pressure
- риски, связанные с образом жизни и окружающей средой.
Инструкция
You will learn more about how to manage common eye health problems in the Managing vision and eye health problems module.
Cataracts
A cataract is a milky or cloudy patch on the lens (appears as though the pupil is clouded).
Cataracts are most common in older people, but they can also affect younger people.
A cataract significantly reduces a person’s vision.
Cataracts can be treated.
Referral to an eye health professional is essential.
Meet Hernando
Hernando is 70 years old and lives on his farm with his extended family. Hernando noticed his vision had become increasingly blurry over the past year. His son Elian took Hernando to see the local health worker.
The health worker completed a primary eye care screen. They referred Hernando to an eye health professional to treat a cataract in his left eye. Hernando had surgery to remove the cataract, and his vision is now clear.
диабет
Diabetes can affect eye health. Over time it can lead to vision problems or blindness. However, this can be prevented with early identification of problems and treatment. It is important to ask if a person has diabetes.
Any person with diabetes should:
- Be under the care of a health professional or diabetes service
- Have regular eye exams by a trained eye health professional.
Обсуждение
Where do people who have diabetes go for treatment in your area? How would you refer people to these services?
Discuss with your colleagues.
глазные инфекции
Eye infections can cause swelling, redness and discomfort around the eyes.
People of any age can have an eye infection, including very young babies.
Some eye infections only need simple treatment. If not treated early, eye infections and swelling can lead to:
- потребность в более сложном лечении, таком как хирургическое вмешательство
- необратимые повреждения глаз.
Eye infections can often be treated by cleaning the eyelids and eyelashes and providing a topical antibiotic.
However, some people with eye infections need to be referred to an eye health professional.
Meet Abir
Abir is 67 years old and lives with his wife. Abir was feeling discomfort around his left eye. He noticed it was red.
Abir visited his local health centre where he was told he had an eye infection. The health worker cleaned Abir’s eyelids and eyelashes and gave him a topical antibiotic to use for five days.
Abir’s symptoms improved. He no longer has any discomfort around the eye.
Illnesses
Some illnesses can cause serious eye health problems or blindness in babies and young children. These include:
- Measles
- Rubella
- Tetanus
- Diarrhoea
- Low vitamin A.
Immunization and good nutrition can lower the risk of these illnesses.
Giving vitamin A to babies who may be low in vitamin A can reduce their risk of vision and eye health problems.
Problems at birth
Babies that are born too early (pre-term) or have a low birth weight have a higher risk of vision and eye health problems.
Some babies can also be born with vision or eye health problems. These are called congenital problems.
All pre-term or low birth weight babies, and babies that may have a congenital problem should be referred urgently to an eye health professional.
Allergies
Allergic reactions that affect the eyes are common. They are caused when an allergen (a tiny particle, for example pollen) lands on the surface of the eye or the skin around the eye and causes an allergic reaction. This leads to redness, swelling, itchiness and eye watering.
Allergies affecting the eyes can be treated with anti-allergy eye drops, or antihistamine medication.
Вопрос
Meet Zora
Zora is 42 years old. She is married and has four children. Zora and her family live in a rural village. Over the past week Zora has spent a lot of time outside harvesting crops.
She visits her local health centre as she has developed very itchy, red and watery eyes over recent days.
What eye problem do you think Zora has?
Выберите один ответ.
If you answered b, you are correct!
It is likely that Zora has allergies because her eyes are very itchy. They are also swollen and watery.
Pollen or dust from harvesting may be aggravating her eyes, causing an allergic reaction.
a и c неправильны.
A cataract is a milky or cloudy patch on the lens, which appears as though the pupil is cloudy. Cataracts do not cause the symptoms Zora has. As Zora’s symptoms have developed recently, she does not have an eye problem from birth.
Dry eye
Dry eye is common and leads to dry, scratchy, itchy and/or stinging eyes.
People with dry eye may also have:
- Eye redness
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes, as their eyes try to relieve the dryness.
Dry eye is caused by problems with the quantity or quality of a person’s tears. It can also be caused by environmental factors such as dry air, wind or looking at a screen for long periods.
Dry eye does not cause permanent vision problems. It can be managed with lubricating eye drops.
Injuries
Different types of injuries can damage the eyes. For example:
- Cuts or knocks to the face or eyes
- Chemical injuries
- Burns
- A foreign body in the eye.
Many eye injuries require first aid treatment and referral to an eye health professional.
High blood pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes. It may cause them to narrow, leak or burst. This can lead to swelling, clots, or fluid buildup under the retina (back of the eye), which can cause blurry vision. Reduced blood flow to the optic nerve may also affect eyesight.
Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and treatment of problems caused by high blood pressure.
Риски, связанные с образом жизни и окружающей средой
Many lifestyle and environmental factors can lead to vision and eye health problems. For example:
- Long periods of near vision activities like reading or looking at a screen without breaks
- Children spending a lot of time indoors
- Smoking, which increases the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts
- Not wearing eye protection when using tools or chemicals
- Air pollution
- Exposure to radiation from the sun.
Meet Moataz
Image pending
Moataz is a professional artist. He is short-sighted and uses spectacles to see more easily.
Moataz spent many hours of his childhood indoors. He enjoyed painting and did not play much outside.
He developed vision problems when he was 10 years old. The eye health professional explained the importance of spending time outdoors every day to avoid vision problems.