Eye Diseases

Causes:

• insufficient tear production (hyposecretory type);
• excessive tear evaporation due to meibomian gland dysfunction;
• prolonged screen use and reduced blinking;
• contact lens wear;
• hormonal changes, particularly during menopause;
• systemic diseases (Sjögren’s syndrome, endocrine disorders);
• exposure to conditioned air, dry climate, or wind.

Main symptoms:

• feeling of dryness, grittiness, or burning in the eyes;
• fluctuating vision throughout the day ("blurriness");
• increased sensitivity to light;
• redness and irritation;
• excessive tearing as a compensatory response;
• eye fatigue during reading or digital work.

Modern treatment options:

• lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) tailored to severity;
• treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, device-assisted therapies);
• anti-inflammatory therapy for pronounced ocular surface inflammation;
• workplace optimization: the 20–20–20 rule, conscious blinking, humidifying air;
• management of systemic factors and coexisting ocular conditions;
• specialized tear substitutes for extended screen use or contact lens wear.

Symptoms that require attention:

• heaviness in the eyes, occasional pain or discomfort;
• narrowing of the visual field, blurriness, or a hazy "mesh" effect;
• rainbow halos around lights;
• reduced vision in the evening or at night;
• eye redness, moisture, or mild periocular pain.

Main forms of glaucoma:

• open-angle — the most common type, progressing silently and causing gradual peripheral vision loss;
• angle-closure — accompanied by pain, sudden vision deterioration, and may trigger acute attacks.

Treatment:

• control and normalization of intraocular pressure;
• individualized medication therapy based on diagnostic findings;
• surgical treatment when progression risk is high or eye drops are ineffective; often combined with cataract extraction when indicated.

Glaucoma in children:

• most often congenital or infantile in origin;
• frequently asymptomatic and affecting both eyes;
• requires a combination of medical, surgical, and functional treatment;
• regular follow-up is essential — monitoring cornea, limbus, intraocular pressure, and visual functions.

Why cataracts develop:

• age-related biochemical changes of the lens;
• eye injuries or radiation exposure;
• congenital cataracts;
• endocrine or metabolic disorders;
• certain eye diseases;
• long-term use of specific medications;
• vitamin deficiency, smoking, and environmental stressors.

Key symptoms:

• gradual decrease in visual acuity;
• double vision or distorted lines;
• foggy or blurred images;
• difficulty reading or performing near tasks;
• reduced contrast and color clarity;
• poor vision in low-light conditions.

Why treatment is necessary:

• the condition steadily progresses;
• glasses or lenses cannot restore lens transparency;
• cataracts significantly reduce quality of life and independence;
• without treatment, they may cause secondary glaucoma or irreversible eye changes.

Modern cataract treatment:

• the only effective method is surgical removal of the cloudy lens and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL);
• medications cannot restore transparency;
• laser-assisted surgery ensures precision, safety, and rapid recovery;
• the procedure is performed on a day-surgery basis, without hospital stay.

Lens replacement:

• various IOL types are selected based on individual needs;
• the microsurgical procedure is quick and requires minimal rehabilitation;
• postoperative care includes regular follow-up with an ophthalmologist;
• suitable for different cataract types, including traumatic and congenital.

Types and causes of astigmatism:

• congenital or acquired after trauma, inflammation, or surgery;
• corneal astigmatism (most common) and lenticular astigmatism;
• with-the-rule and against-the-rule, depending on the strongest refractive meridian;
• myopic, hyperopic, simple, compound, and mixed types;
• by degree: mild, moderate, high; physiological astigmatism up to 0.5 D is normal.

Why timely evaluation matters:

• may lead to strabismus or progressive visual decline;
• causes headaches, eye strain, and visual discomfort;
• correction is effective and requires no major restrictions — early diagnosis is recommended.

Astigmatism symptoms:

• blurred or "out-of-focus" vision;
• distorted lines and unclear contours;
• eye fatigue, strain, photophobia;
• headaches and poor twilight vision;
• in children, symptoms may be unnoticed — preventive exams are essential.

Treatment options:

• conservative correction: eyeglasses with cylindrical lenses or toric contact lenses;
• laser correction (for myopic and hyperopic astigmatism up to 3–4 D): reshaping the cornea with a personalized protocol;
• laser procedures are outpatient, safe, and ensure rapid recovery;
• glasses and lenses correct symptoms but do not change corneal structure; laser is the only method that permanently reshapes the eye’s optics.

Symptoms of hyperopia:

• blurred vision during reading or near tasks;
• eye strain and rapid fatigue;
• headaches after visual work;
• the need to hold objects further away to focus;
• stinging, discomfort, or a gritty sensation.

Degrees of hyperopia:

• mild — up to +2.0 D;
• moderate — +2.25 to +4.0 D;
• high — above +4.25 D.

Hyperopia in children:

• mild hyperopia in infants is physiologically normal;
• excessive hyperopia requires correction to prevent strabismus and amblyopia;
• regular eye exams every 6–12 months are recommended.

Correction methods:

• glasses or contact lenses to compensate for refractive error;
• laser correction using LASIK, Super LASIK, or LASEK (when indicated);
• the choice of method depends on age, lifestyle, and ocular health.

Main conditions:

• optic nerve atrophy — gradual degeneration of nerve fibers;
• optic neuritis — inflammation caused by infections, vascular disorders, or toxic effects;
• glioma — a benign tumor, more common in children, which may progress and require treatment.

Symptoms of optic nerve damage:

• sudden or gradual vision loss;
• floaters or haziness;
• visual field narrowing and missing areas of vision;
• orbital pain, headache, or migraine;
• impaired color perception.

Treatment approach:

• comprehensive diagnostics to determine the underlying cause;
• medical therapy: antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids — depending on etiology;
• management of intracranial pressure when required;
• supportive and neuroprotective therapy to improve nerve function;
• physiotherapy or surgical intervention in cases of tumor involvement or partial atrophy.