Sustaining good eye health is extremely important if you want to
avoid conditions which can contribute to problems such as severe dry eyes, red
eyes, irritation and soreness. Dry eyes is actually a condition which can become
chronic. When you let it continue untreated for a long period of time, it can
also contribute to vision problems. Many people may have this condition and may
not be aware that it can be considered a serious health problem.
There are several eye health conditions which may have symptoms of dry, red,
itchy or gritty eyes. Blepharitis is an eye problem where inflammation occurs in
the eyelids. Anterior blepharitis attacks the outside of the lid where the
eyelashes are and is normally caused by bacteria or scalp dander. Posterior
blepharitis effects the inside of the lid and causes problems with the oil
glands. The symptoms can include watery, itchy, red, swollen, dry and crusty and
burning eyes.
Blepharitis can also cause sties to form on the eyelids, both inside and outside
of the eye pouch. These tend to be characterized by red bumps and can be very
uncomfortable. Chalazion can also occur, which is also a lump on the eyelid, but
it is firmer than a sty and may not be painful unless it is infected. Another
common eye condition is called Conjunctivitis, which is often referred to as
pink eye.
This eye health condition is actually caused by a virus which may be stimulated
by bacteria. The bacteria builds up on the film of the inner eyelid. This can be
an infectious problem which can be spread to others. It is important to
constantly wash your hands, and to also avoid touching your eyes when you have
this eye condition. Antibiotic eye drops are often used to treat mild conditions
caused by bacteria, and viral caused pink eye will go away on its own.
Understanding Eye Health Terms
There are several different areas of the eyes. It is sometimes important to
understand the formal terminology of these areas when you are learning about
various eye health conditions. The Endothelium is the inner layer on the inside
of the cornea, and the Epithelium is the outer layer. The retina is made up of
rods and cones and is the back surface of the eye that converts light. The black
dot in the middle of the iris is the pupil. The iris is the colored area of the
eye, which may be blue, green, brown or hazel.
The sclera is the white part of our eyes and has tendons attached. The cornea is
the part of the eye which kind of bulges out in front of the iris and pupil.
This is a clear layer of the eye, and can be extremely sensitive to dust,
foreign objects and other things. Your tears help to protect this area of the
eye. The lens is a part of your eye which contributes to your vision and is made
up of water and proteins. This is located in the center area of your eye, and
can change shape.
Eye Health and Promoting Healthy Eyes
Sometimes when we experience a slight redness in our eyes, or we feel a little
bit of strain we notice it, but we don't always become alerted by it. Many
serious eye health conditions can begin with something as simple as tenderness
and redness in our tired eyes. If we do not take care of the eyes, serious
problems can occur and ultimately effect our vision.
It is important to understand our eye health. We should be aware of the times
when we are placing too much stress on our eyes from work. It is necessary to
take breaks and rest your eyes when you begin to feel strained or tired. If you
experience irritations such as itchiness, puffiness, dryness and redness, you
may want to consider artificial tears, therapy treatments, gels and ointments.
If these problems persist, you should consult with your eye doctor.
