Bruce Ayres, Getty Images
Many eye disorders are treatable if diagnosed early on, "but because
they're virtually painless, people often ignore their symptoms instead
of making an appointment with an eye doctor," says John Branch, MD, an
ophthalmologist at the Greenville Hospital System University Medical
Center in Greenville, S.C., and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The most common causes of blindness are glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment,
in which the retina, the thin tissue that lines the back of the eye and
sends visual messages to the brain, comes loose from its normal
position. Although retinal detachments can be caused by sudden trauma
(like a baseball to the eye) or complication from eye surgery such as
LASIK, they can also begin with small rips in the retina that are left
untreated, Branch says. Some research indicates people with blue or
green eyes may be at more risk, although Branch notes there's "no huge
increase" in their odds of developing retinal tears.
British prime minister Gordon Brown recently revealed that doctors had
found two retinal tears in his right eye, sending the media into a
frenzy of speculation that he is slowly becoming blind. As a teenager,
a rugby accident detached the retina in Brown's other eye, leaving him
with only 30 percent of his vision, according to The Daily Mail.
Here are the warning signs your own eyesight may be in danger:
Floaters:
Two-thirds of the eye is filled with vitreous, a jelly-like substance
which begins to contract with age. "Occasional spots, threads or webs
'floating' across your field of vision are actually condensed strands
of vitreous causing shadows on the retinal surface," says Branch. A
sudden onset of floaters, particularly dark splotches, may signal the
start of a retinal tear.
Flashers: Flashing lights, like tiny lightning bolts or strobes,
in your peripheral vision indicate the vitreous is tugging on the
retina and may cause it to come loose from its normal position.
Shadow Effect: A sense of a shadow, or gray curtain, rising or
dropping over your field of vision could be a sign the retina is
peeling away from the back of the eye.
Very near-sighted
people have a higher risk of developing eye disease, particularly
retinal tears, says Branch. "Because their eyes are longer than someone
with 'normal' vision, the retina is stretched, making it easier to
become detached."
To safeguard your vision, maintain a healthy diet that includes plenty
of dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale and collard greens. "All are
rich in vitamins and antioxidants which protect eye health," says
Branch. On sunny days, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. And most importantly, don't put off a regular eye exam.
"The sooner you get any of these symptoms evaluated by an eye doctor," Branch says, "the sooner you can get them fixed."
