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Genes are a significant contributor to eye problems. Especially the more serious ones that result in blindness. In fact, over 60% of cases of blindness in children are caused by genetic factors. But it’s not just children’s eyes that are affected by bad eye genes. Genetic factors can also be associated with serious eye diseases in adults, including glaucoma, which is the number one cause of irreversible blindness in adults.
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Tell me a bit about glaucoma.
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Glaucoma affects sixty million people worldwide and yet, 50% of affected people don’t even know they have it. They may just think their eyesight is worsening with age and that it’s normal. Regular eye tests are really important for this reason.
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But what exactly is glaucoma?
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Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. What is the optic nerve? Good question. The optic nerve transmits impulses to the brain from the retina at the back of the eye. It’s basically the messenger nerve that tells you what you’re looking at.
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What can be done to prevent glaucoma?
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Regular eye tests are your best defense. Especially after the age of forty. If eye pressure can be reduced in the early stages of glaucoma, the development of the disease can be stopped and your vision can be preserved and protected.
Now that we’ve flagged the most serious eye disease to keep an eye out for (excuse the pun) let’s look at some of the more common (and less serious) eye problems that people are affected by…
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Cataracts
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Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that can cause changes in vision. Symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or fuzzy vision as well as a sensitivity to glare. Cataracts are very common in older people, which is why you probably associate the word “cataract” with old people. In fact, more than half of Americans over the age of 80, have cataracts. But the good news is that cataracts can be effectively treated with surgery.
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Amblyopia
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Amblyopia is commonly referred to as “lazy eye”. It occurs when vision has not properly developed in the eyes, and the brain begins to favour the eye with better vision. Kind of like when parents favour one child over another. The one goes on to be a star pupil (excuse the pun) and the other, a lazy drop out…
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Diabetic Retinopathy
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Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye. The risk factors are the same as the risk factors associated with diabetes: poorly controlled blood sugar. Early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurriness and difficulty perceiving colours. Mild cases can be treated with careful diabetes management. Advanced cases require laser treatment or surgery.
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All in all, detection is our best defense. Because if we catch a problem early enough (as with anything in life) we can actually do something about it. Especially when it comes to the more serious eye diseases, the genetic ones that get passed down to us. So next time you’re on the phone to your dad, don’t just ask him about his day, ask him about his eyes too. And if he gave you beautiful healthy eyes, be sure to thank him for that.
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