Your eyes are one of your most important “tools”. Without proper care you could run into a number of issues. Here are four common eye problems of which you should be aware:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects your optic nerve which can result in vision issues and eventually lead to blindness. This happens as a result of your eye’s fluid pressure rising. However, it can also happen with normal pressure. The good news is that with early treatment you can avoid serious vision loss.

There are two types of glaucoma: open and closed angled. Open angled glaucoma progresses slowly and it can be a serious problem by the time you notice symptoms. On the other hand closed angled glaucoma is painful and will appear suddenly. With the sudden occurrence of pain you can also lose vision quickly. However, most people will experience the pain and seek medical attention quickly enough to avoid damage.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

There are very few people who have not fallen victim to this troublesome infection. It appears with burning, itching and sometimes extreme pain and can also have a very unpleasant discharge. It is highly contagious and it is important to seek medical attention in order to avoid contamination to coworkers, classmates and family members. The good news is that it will clear up quite quickly with eye drops. Pink eye will only get worse if left untreated.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment can occur for a number of reasons including an accident, eye surgery and family history. It is common in those who are severely near sighted. The most common symptom is floaters noticed in your vision as well as retinal tears. If you notice any flashes or strings in your vision seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor will recommend the proper procedure to correct this serious issue.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are exactly what you expect. They can be very uncomfortable and are caused when your tear glands are unable to produce the tears required to keep your eyes moist. It can cause itching and burning and can even lead to vision loss, although this is rare. Your doctor can assist by recommending the best possible eye drops as well as assist if tear ducts are plugged.

To avoid eye problems have regular, annual eye checks ups and visit your eye doctor should any visions changes, eye pain or discharge appear.