Common Eye Diseases in the Philippines: The Most Prevalent

Common eye diseases in the Philippines have been given more attention as research has taken account of the toll of these conditions on Filipinos. Common eye diseases impair vision and affect the overall health and quality of life of Filipinos. 

Common Eye Diseases

Listed below are some of the most common eye diseases in the Philippines.

Myopia

Nearsightedness or myopia is basically the opposite of hyperopia. Both conditions are refractive errors, but individuals with myopia see closer objects very clearly while objects at a distance are seen as faded and blurred.

Hyperopia

Otherwise known as farsightedness, and the opposite of myopia, though both are refractive errors. Hyperopia causes the eye to be unable to properly refract light to focus on images. As such, objects from a distance look clear, but closer objects appear blurred or faded.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when there are imperfections pertaining to the cornea or lens of the eye. Normal eyes have cornea and lens that are equally smooth and proportional, which allows the focus of light rays to travel to the retina. Uncorrected astigmatism, especially in adults, will begin to reflect once patients notice a decrease in vision quality. Astigmatism is sometimes coupled with or is related to a refractive error.

Cataract

Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy. When trying to focus on images, things may appear to be hazy, blurry, less colorful, and harder to see clearly. People affected by a cataract compare their vision to that of looking through a dusty windshield of a car, or through a very foggy mirror.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by retinal cell loss leading to optic nerve head damage. One of the leading risk factor is increased intraocular pressure brought about by buildup of fluid that causes damage towards the optic nerve.

Conjunctivitis

Also known as pink eye,  conjunctivitis refers to the irritation of the eyes due to infections or allergies.  It often causes swelling and a red color of the eyes, with the presence of discharge at times. Conjunctivitis may either be bacterial, allergic, or viral.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis refers to the eyelids’ inflammation. They may appear swollen, red, and produce a burning or sore feeling. At times, a crust forms at the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis is a common eye disease, especially for people that have dandruff and oily skin.

Styes

Also known as a hordeolum, refers to a usually small, painful and reddish lump that grows out from the eyelash’s base, or at times, under the eyelid. A majority of styes are a result of bacterial infections. Styes may be internal or external.

Retinal Detachment

Occurs when the retina lifts and moves away from the back of the eye. As a result, the retina fails to work as intended, thus causing vision to become blurry. Seek immediate medical attention if you have a detached retina.

Maculopathy

Refers to a progressive eye disease that may lead to vision loss for both eyes. The disease targets the macula, which is located at the back of the retina and is responsible for processing finer details, reading, and central vision.

Macular degenerations occurs when the macula sustains damage. This degeneration of the macula leads to a loss of central vision and difficulty processing fine details. Additionally, macular degeneration does not affect peripheral vision.

Lazy Eye

Amblyopia or lazy eye refers to an eye disease that causes reduced vision in one eye due to abnormalities in development during early stages in one’s life. It generally develops from birth up to seven years of age. Lazy eye rarely affects both eyes.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, common eye diseases have a wide array of types and each usually indicates damage in a part of the eye or a related organ. It is imperative to get in touch with a medical professional when you begin to experience symptoms related to your vision, as immediate and appropriate action is the best way to combat some of the more common eye diseases in the Philippines.

Learn more about Eye Diseases here.