Common Eye Diseases’ Symptoms and Treatment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

By far the most important organs of sense are our eyes. We perceive up to 80 per cent of all impressions by means of our sight.

We understand how much pressure an eye disses can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Considering the fact that most of our activities are accomplished by the use of our eyes.

Here is a list of symptoms below that the Addis Ababa Eye Clinic can provide diagnosis and treatment for

If you have the below symptoms please consult our eye specialist in Addis Ababa Eye Clinic.

Eye Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

The Addis Ababa Eye Clinic provides examination, diagnosis and treatment for the eye symptoms listed below. Click on a symptom to learn more about it:

• I can’t see close objects clearly
• I can’t see far objects clearly
• My eyes are red
• My eyes are itchy
• My eyes look tired and sunken
• My eye is bleeding in the corner
• My eye closes on its own
• My eye vibrates
• My eyeball hurts/eye pain
• My eyes are watering/ excess tearing
• My eyes are swollen
• My eyes are yellow
• My eyes are puffy
• My vision is blurry
• My vision is cloudy
• My vision is getting worse
• My vision is wavy
• My vision is shaking
• My vision is distorted
• Night Blindness
• My eye is moving on its own
• Eyes aren’t lined up
• Light sensitivity
• Tiny spots or specks that float across your field of vision
• I Feel like there is something in my eye
• Eye is burning
• Reduced vision field

>
Learn more about each of these eye symptoms in the following section. You can get information about the cause of every symptom, the available treatments and a link to the treatment page.

I can’t see close objects clearly  

There can be two reasons why you can’t see close objects clearly.

The first one is a common vision condition called hyperopia, or farsightedness.

People affected by farsightedness can clearly see things that are far away, but things that are close-up appear blurry for them.

Here is a detailed resource about the causes, other symptoms and treatment of Farsightedness. Click to learn more :  Farsightedness or Hyperopia : Causes, Symptoms and Treatments in Addis Ababa.

The second reason why you may not be able to clearly see close objects is an age-related eye condition called Presbyopia.

Presbyopia is an eye condition related to aging, in which the eyes slowly become unable to focus on near objects. People usually start getting symptoms of Presbyopia around age 40 plus.

Please consult our page about Presbyopia causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa here to learn more.

I can’t see far objects clearly  

The main why people are unable to see clearly far objects is myopia. The is a lot more information about myopia on the myopia causes, symptoms and treatment page. Please read it to learn more.

My eyes are red  

There can be four reasons why you’re eyes are red.

The first reason why your eyes are turning red may be because of Allergy.

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander.

The second reason why you’re eyes are turning red is because of dry eyes.

Dry eyes may occur if you’re eyes don’t produce enough tears or if you’re eyes produce poor-quality tears. This tear instability leads to inflammation and damage of the eye’s surface.

The third reason why you’re eyes are turning red may be because of contact lenses overwear. 

Over wearing contact lenses results in the lenses drying out and becoming misshapen, however the most concerning issue is the reduction in oxygen supply to your eyes. Causing you’re eyes to turn red.

The third reason why you’re eyes are turning red may be because of conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis is cause by the inflammation of the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva(eye lead covers).

My eyes are itchy  

Itchy eyes can be the cause of different defects.

The most common cause of itchy eyes is an allergy. 

The body reacts to the trigger by releasing histamine, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and irritating the nerve endings so the eyes water.

My eyes look tired and sunken  

There are nine causes of tired and sunken eyes.

The first one is aging. As we get older, we lose of fat, decline in the supporting structures plus bone density and loses of skin collagen results sunkun eyes.

The second one is dramatic weight loss. A dramatic loss of fat in the face can also make the blood vessels surrounding your eyes more visible and transparent.

The third one is genetics. The position of your eyes in their socket also depends on your genetics. If other members of your family also have the appearance of sunken or darkened eyes, it could just be part of your DNA.

The fourth one is Lack of sleep. Poor-quality sleep or frequently getting less than 7 hours of restful sleep can take a toll on your appearance.

The fifth one is dehydration. Lack of proper hydration can lead to sunken eyes, especially in children. Children are particularly susceptible to dehydration caused by stomach viruses and bacteria.

The sixth one is sun exposure. Sun exposure causes our bodies to produce melanin, which darkens our skin.

The seventh one is allergies. Can cause dark circles to form under your eyes and give them a sunken look. This is often referred to as “allergic shiners.”

The eighth one is sinus infections. Inflammation of the sinuses or an infection called sinusitis can make your eyes appear dark and sunken.

The ninth one is smoking. Smoking degrades collagen and causes your skin to lose elasticity. This can lead to sagging skin on your face and the appearance of sunken eyes.

My eye is bleeding in the corner  

Eye bleeding in the corner is caused by Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye).

A subconjunctival hemorrhage often occurs without any obvious harm to your eye. Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye. You don’t need to treat it. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it’s usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so.

My eye closes on its own  

It is medically known as Blepharospasm and its caused by aging.

Blepharospasm is a condition with involuntary closing of eyelids and trouble opening eyelids or keeping them open, typically affecting people at the beginning of their 40s, 50s or 60s. The initial symptoms may feel like squinting, eyelid heaviness, pain or tension around the eyes

My eye vibrates  

It is medically referred as eye twitching, benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Occasional eye twitches are common. If you have eye twitches more often, you may have a condition called benign essential blepharospasm. In rare instances, eye twitching is from an underlying health condition

My eyeball hurts/eye pain  

Seek immediate medical attention.

Eye pain that’s on the surface of your eye might be described as itching, burning or shooting pain. Surface eye pain is often related to a foreign object in your eye, an eye infection, or anything that irritates or inflames the membrane covering the surface of your eye.

Eye infections are caused by any disease of the eyes caused by a harmful microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus.

Foreign objects are matters that get in to our eyes due to different factors and cause pain.

Please consult our page about Eye injury causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

My eyes are watering/ excess tearing  

Can be caused by three factors.

The first causes are Allergies

Eye allergies are a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens that get into your eyes. Examples of these are pollen, mold spores, dust mites and pet dander.

The second cause is viral infections (conjunctivitis). The infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up. A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to treat more serious forms of conjunctivitis.

The third reason is inflammation.

Uveitis is a term for inflammation of the eye. It can occur in one eye or both eyes and affects the layer of the eye called the uvea .

My eyes are swollen  

It can be caused by two factors.

The first cause is swollen Eyelid Causes Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) Shingles. A clogged oil gland in your eyelid (chalazion) An eyelid infection (stye) Swollen eyes could be caused by eye allergies.

The second causes are Allergies. In this case, the swollen eyes are symptomatic of the body’s overreaction to a foreign substance, known as an allergen.

My eyes are yellow  

The whites of your eyes (called the sclera) they turn yellow when you have a condition called jaundice. The whites of your eyes might turn yellow when your body has too much of a chemical called bilirubin, a yellow substance that forms when red blood cells break down. Normally, it’s not a problem.

My eyes are puffy  

It is caused by High-salt diet.

Eating a lot of salty foods causes you to retain water and leads to swelling. Allergies: Congestion and inflammation from allergies can sometimes exacerbate under-eye puffiness.

My vision is blurry  

There can be four causes

The first reason is near-sightedness.

Nearsightedness is a common vision condition in which near objects appear clear, but objects farther away look blurry.

Please consult our page about nearsightedness causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

The second reason is far-sightedness.

Farsightedness (hyperopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see distant objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. 

Please consult our page about farsightedness causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

Astigmatism (when the surface of the eye isn’t curved properly)

Astigmatism is a common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred distance and near vision. Astigmatism occurs when either the front surface of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye has mismatched curves.

Please consult our page about Astigmatism causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

Presbyopia (when your eyes find it harder to focus as you age)

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. It’s a natural, it usually occurs due to aging.

Please consult our page about Presbyopia causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

My vision is cloudy  

There could be five causes of cloudy vision

The first cause is Infection

There are two common eye infections

• Conjunctivitis – also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is often due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious.
• Stye – a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from your skin get into the hair follicle of an eyelash.

>

The second cause is Inflammation

The third cause is diabetes

The fourth cause is optic nerve disease

Optic neuritis occurs when swelling (inflammation) damages the optic nerve — a bundle of nerve fibers that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain.

The fifth cause is macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It happens when aging causes damage to the macula — the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.

My vision is getting worse  

Suddenly worsening vision is almost always an indicator of an underlying serious condition. These conditions range from stroke to brain inflammation to acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Having overall good health can prevent your eyesight from getting worse sooner than it might. A healthy, balanced diet is key.

My vision is wavy  

It is caused by Macular degeneration

Research indicates that it may be a combination of family genes and environmental factors. The condition develops as the eye ages.

My vision is shaking  

It is medically referred as Oscillopsia.

It is a vision problem in which objects appear to jump, jiggle, or vibrate when they’re actually still. The condition stems from a problem with the alignment of your eyes, or with the systems in your brain and inner ears that control your body alignment and balance.

My vision is distorted  

There could be three reasons why your vision is distorted

The first one is eye disease,

Eye disease, any of the diseases or disorders that affect the human eye.

It’s causes are:

• Infection, allergy, vitamin deficiency, chemical irritants, genetics, smoking etc are some of the common causes of eye problems.
• Cataract – Etiology could be aging, hereditary, UV-Rays, dietary deficiency of vitamin E, C , B, and proteins.

>
The second one is damage to the eye, or eye infection

An eye infection is any disease of the eyes caused by a harmful microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus. Infections tend to occur in three areas of the eye: Eyelid. Cornea (the eye’s clear outer surface).

The third one is inflammation

Night Blindness  

It is medically referred as Nyctalopia. There are four causes to why you could have night blindness

The first cause is Vitamin A deficiency it is one of the most common causes of night blindness. An insufficient amount of vitamin A in the body affects the production of rhodopsin, the necessary pigment for night vision..

The second cause is Cataracts generally develop as part of the natural aging process, as the proteins that make up the eye’s lens begin to crystallize and harden. Cataracts affect vision clarity, causing blurriness, glare and the presence of halos around bright lights.

Related : Causes, symptoms and treatment of cataracts in Addis Ababa.

The third cause is Retinitis pigmentosa is a retinal disease that occurs when dark pigment collects in the retina, causing the rod cells to breakdown. This disease makes it difficult to see in low light conditions, and can lead to tunnel vision and eventually total vision loss.

The fourth cause is Nearsightedness (myopia) occurs when distant images and objects appear blurry. If you cannot see clearly during the daytime, or if you need a new optical prescription, your vision in low light will be just as blurry as your daytime vision.

My eye is moving on its own  

It is medically recognized as Nystagmus.

Nystagmus is a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements. These movements often result in reduced vision and depth perception and can affect balance and coordination.

Eyes aren’t lined up  

Its cause is a visual disorder named Strabismus.

Strabismus is a visual disorder in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. This misalignment may be constant or intermittent. 

Light sensitivity  

It is medically known as Photophobia.

Photophobia is an eye condition that causes you to be extra sensitive to light.

Sensitivity to light can be caused simply by eye strain or dry eyes, or by issues like eye infections, eye injuries, or problems with the structure of the eye. People with a lighter eye color are more likely to have light sensitivity because darker-colored eyes contain more pigment to protect against harsh lighting.

Tiny spots or specks that float across your field of vision  

Its known main cause is Aging.

As you age, the vitreous – a jelly-like material inside your eyes — liquefies and contracts. When this happens, microscopic collagen fibers in the vitreous tend to clump together. These scattered pieces cast tiny shadows onto your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.

I Feel like there is something in my eye  

It could be caused by it is typically an eyelash, some dust, or a grain of sand.

However, Dry eyes and inflammation of the eyelids can make it feel as though something is in the eye.

Dry eyes are also other factors that causes discomfort in the eye.

Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet, or when your tears don’t work correctly Common causes of decreased tear production include: Aging. Certain medical conditions including Sjogren’s syndrome, allergic eye disease. 

Eye is burning  

It can be caused by two factors

The first one is allergies.

The second one is infections.

Reduced vision field  

It can be caused by two factors

The first cause is glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve.

Please consult our page about glaucoma causes, symptoms and treatments in Addis Ababa to learn more.

The second cause is retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare eye diseases that affect the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye). RP makes cells in the retina break down slowly over time, causing vision loss. RP is a genetic disease that people are born with.

Conclusion

Our qualified eye doctors will make sure to give you the best treatments so that you can recover your vision as quickly as possible.

Addis Ababa Eye Clinic is located in Bole, Addis Ababa more precisely at XQVR+P5G, Addis Ababa.