The majority of us are born with our five senses in perfect health and therefore we tend to take then for granted. However, imagine what life would be like if we could not experience the feel of sand between our toes, smell the mouthwatering aroma of freshly-baked bread, hearing the chorus of the birds welcoming the new dawn or enjoying the splashes of red, orange, and yellows across the sky, during a sunset. Unfortunately, there are those who experience one of a multitude of eye diseases which restrict their vision, fortunately, proper eye care can help to prevent this..

Would you know If you are developing a particular eye disease, Without regular eye care, a disease could occur resulting in vision impairment, also known as low vision. Vision impairment, varying from mild to severe, occurs when your vision remains poor--even with the aid of contact lenses, eyeglasses, medication, or surgery. Eye disorders including birth defects can result in vision impairment. Nonetheless, age-related diseases of the eye, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, are the primary causes of vision impairment in the U.S. Those with limited vision who receive eye care, can benefit from visual aids that include large print books and special eyeglasses, Also, braille books and software that reads text, can aid those with absolutely no vision.

Four frequent eye problems that eye care can help to treat include conjunctivitis, retinal disorders, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Not Pretty In Pink

Commonly referred to as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an eye infection. This eye problem is extremely contagious, and children often suffer from it. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include vision problems, discharge, swelling, aches, irritation, and redness. The treatment that eye care provides, including eye drops, antibiotics, compresses, and creams, are based on the infection's origin.

Preserving Your Retina

Next, by definition, retinal disorders involve the eye's retina. This is a level of tissue located in eye's back, which senses light and transmits images to the human brain. Retinal disorders affect the retina's vital tissue, which provides pinpoint, main vision. Examples of retinal disorders that influence the vital tissue, include: macular hole, retinal detachment, floaters, and macular pucker. Eye care can treat each of these disorders.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

As we age a cataract may create a clouding of the eye's lens. By age 80, over 50% of Americans have either had cataract surgery, or have cataracts. Symptoms include:

-Inability to see in the evening well -Unclear vision -Glare -Recurrent prescription changes for contact lenses or eyeglasses -Pale colors -Double vision

Cataracts typically progress slowly. In late stages, surgery can be used to replace the unclear lens, with a manmade lens. Cataracts can be prevented by wearing hats with brims and sunglasses.

Optic Nerve

Lastly, glaucoma, which eye care can also treat, harms the optic nerve of the eye. This typically happens when high fluid pressure in an eye rises too high. Those with a family history of glaucoma, and those over 60-years-old, are high-risk groups. If you are in either of those groups, you should get eye exams once every two years or more often. Treatments for glaucoma include eyedrops requiring a prescription, and surgery.

Your eye's are your windows on the world, therefore, it is imperative that you get quality eye care to protect them from various diseases.