2024-10-25 00:42:00
Vision is one of the most important senses for humans and its deterioration can have a significant impact on the quality of life. As time passes, many people face vision problems, which can be mild or severe and are usually related to aging or genetic factors. Identifying the most common pathologies that affect vision is essential to understanding the importance of prevention and adequate eye care treatment. “The most common ophthalmological diseases are those that result from refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, as well as other age-related ones such as presbyopia, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma,” explains Blanca Ferrández, ophthalmologist.
Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for the effective treatment of visual diseases. The role played by ophthalmologists is critical in identifying these disorders, using a combination of clinical examinations, specialized tests and advanced technology to identify visual problems. Likewise, understanding how a specialist approaches the diagnosis of the most common eye diseases can provide a clear perspective of the medical process, from the first symptoms to confirmation of the diagnosis. “The first thing to do is ask the patient what his symptoms are and above all if he has had any ocular pathologies in his family. Subsequently, an evaluation of visual acuity with refraction is carried out, followed by an examination of the front part of the eye using a lamp slit and measurement of intraocular pressure. Finally, an examination of the ocular fundus is performed. We can also perform more specific tests, such as optical coherence tomography, which provide a lot of information on the state of the retina and the optic nerve,” explains Blanca Ferrández.
Many eye diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration can progress silently and without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. An early diagnosis allows treatments that can slow the progression of the disease or, in some cases, reverse its effects. “Early diagnosis of diseases is vital for their control and improvement of prognosis. There are degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, in which irreversible damage occurs, so early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases will allow us to stop their evolution”, adds the specialist.
The field of ophthalmology has seen remarkable progress in recent years, largely due to technological innovation and the development of new treatments that have transformed the way eye diseases are diagnosed and treated. As a result, recent advances allow ophthalmologists to provide more accurate diagnoses and less invasive therapies. Furthermore, these advances not only improve clinical outcomes, but also offer new hope to patients suffering from complex ocular diseases. “Ophthalmology is a constantly developing area, where new intravitreal treatments are emerging to control macular degeneration, multifocal intraocular lenses, drainage devices to control glaucoma, as well as improvements in diagnostic devices such as next-generation OCTs. These are examples of the tools we have to improve our care and therefore the quality of life of our patients,” says Ferrández.
Long-term follow-up of patients with ocular diseases is critical to ensure proper management and prevent future complications. In particular, many of these conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic retinopathy require constant monitoring to evaluate disease progression and adapt treatment as needed. Thanks to advances in imaging and monitoring technologies, ophthalmologists can perform more detailed and personalized follow-ups. Therefore, understanding how this monitoring has improved and what type of periodic checks are advisable is essential for maintaining visual health over time. “Regular visits to the ophthalmologist, especially after the age of 50, are essential for the early diagnosis of vision problems, even before obvious symptoms appear. Early diagnosis allows eye diseases to be treated or controlled more effectively, reducing the risk of serious complications. Furthermore, in many cases, eye diseases are silent, that is, they progress without generating obvious symptoms until the damage becomes significant”, explains the ophthalmologist from the HLA Hospital Group of Zaragoza.
Following certain recommendations can help maintain healthy vision and prevent eye problems in the future. Among these “it is important to protect the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins such as A, C, E, as well as minerals such as zinc, avoid tobacco, use adequate eye protection in risky environments and maintain good hygiene if you use contact lenses. Furthermore, it is essential to keep chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension under control, do physical activity regularly and avoid excessive use of screens”, concludes the specialist. JGS. SJD
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