The eyes are the window to the soul as they say. They’re vital to helping you see the world around you, make memories, and go about your favourite activities. Losing your vision can be very scary, especially if you aren’t sure what’s causing it. 

The leading cause of vision loss and blindness is age-related disorders like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. However, people of all ages can experience vision loss and problems with their vision. Whether this damage can be fixed or reversed depends on what’s causing it and how soon it is treated.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors are a type of vision problem that affects how clearly a person can see. The most common types of refractive errors are near sightedness (myopia, farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. There’s also presbyopia which is a condition that develops in middle age and makes seeing and reading things up close difficult. 

Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and surgeries can successfully correct many cases of refractive errors.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is an eye disorder that is caused by the natural process of ageing and can severely impact a person’s ability to go about their daily lives. 

There are two forms of AMD, Wet AMD and Dry EMD. Wet AMD is a long-term eye problem that causes blurry vision and for a blind spot to appear in the central vision. It’s the result of blood vessels leaking fluid into the macula, the part of the retina that’s responsible for clear lines of sight. Wet AMD can be treated by injections or photodynamic light therapy. 

Dry AMD is a progressive condition that blurs the central vision. This form is more common than Wet AMD and usually affects both eyes. Dry AMD doesn’t have a dedicated form of treatment but vision aids can help you cope with the condition. 

Cataracts

Cataracts are when the lenses in the eyes become clouded, creating blurry and misty vision and eventual blindness. They are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and are more common in older adults, but babies and children can also develop them. 

Cataracts usually appear in both eyes but can develop at different rates and cause varying levels of vision loss. Since it’s a progressive condition, you’ll eventually need surgery to remove and replaced the damaged lens. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged, usually due to fluid building up in the front of the eye. This increases pressure on the eye and can lead to vision loss if it isn’t treated right away. 

It tends to develop slowly over the course of several years and will first start to affect your peripheral vision. Symptoms can include blurry vision, eye pain, headaches, and seeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights. 

Damage that’s already occurred due to glaucoma can’t be reverse but further damage can be prevented with eyedrops, laser treatments, and surgery. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

When diabetes goes unmanaged or uncontrolled for long periods of time, several health complications can occur. One of these is diabetic retinopathy (DR). It’s a progressive form of damage that affects the blood vessels of the retina. Retinas are the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is crucial to having good, clear vision. 

DR will affect both eyes and if the underlying cause isn’t treated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Controlling blood sugar, lipid, and blood pressure levels is vital to reversing this condition and preventing permanent damage. 

Dry Eyes

Your eyes need a certain amount of moisture to stay healthy. If they don’t get enough moisture, they can become too dry and cause problems with your vision. People who do not make enough natural tears are more likely to have dry eyes, but other causes include wearing contact lenses, sleeping with a fan on, air conditioning and heating, eye strain, and exposure to dry, cold, or windy weather. 

If your dry eyes are caused by lifestyle habits or external factors, you can take certain steps to preserve your eye health. Many home remedies like eye drops can also help. 

Allergies

Some types of allergies can make your eyes red, itchy, and irritated. This can lead to increased tear production and blurred vision, making it difficult to see clearly. There’s also a specific eye allergy disorder called allergic conjunctivitis. 

Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers your eyelids known as the conjunctiva. It’s the result of exposure to substances the eye is allergic to like pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust. Artificial tears, allergy medications, cold compresses, and allergy eye drops can help reduce the symptoms of conjunctivitis. 

How to Improve Eyesight

One of the best ways you can improve your eyesight is to give your eyes a break! We spend so much of our time looking at screens and reading, activities that can affect our eyesight with long-term exposure. Reducing strain on your eyes from time to time can help with preventing eye problems and blurry vision. 

Most smart phones and other devices have settings now that make the screens less intense on your eyes. You can also buy filters or screens to put over desktop computers to reduce the brightness. 

When you’re outside you should wear sunglasses that have sufficient protection against UV rays. When indoors, ensure that there is adequate lighting so your eyes won’t be under unnecessary strain. If you wear contacts, take them out before bed and clean/store them properly before putting them back in. 

How to Cure Blurry Vision Naturally

If you have blurry vision, you should see a doctor or optician as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are ways you can help with the symptoms of blurry vision with some easy to follow steps for eye care at home. 

This can include:

• Not using fans at night
• Quitting smoking
• Using a humidifier
• Avoiding allergens
• Taking omega-3 fatty acids
• Taking vitamin A
• Using eye drops

Effective eyedrops to help with preventing eye problems can be bought online from Pharmacy Planet. Keep exploring our website today to keep your eyes happy, healthy, and clear.