Eye Conditions That Don’t Hurt but Can Rob You of Your Vision

Pain is a signal that there's something wrong in your body. When you think about an eye condition, you may feel that you might experience discomfort, such as stinging or burning. Although these symptoms can occur with certain eye conditions, such as allergies, many serious eye diseases do not cause pain. 

​In fact, most people may not even realize they have a significant eye condition until they start to lose vision. 
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This is because some eye diseases do not initially interfere with everyday activities such as going to work and driving, especially in the early stages. However, it's essential to understand these silent eye diseases and identify them early to preserve your sight. 

​Continue reading for more information on the top painless eye conditions that can threaten vision.

No pain does not mean no harm

In many cases, when we have some type of disease or injury, we experience pain. This signals to your body that something's wrong, so you can seek help. However, your eyes do not have the same type of pain receptors that are in other parts of your body. This means you can have an eye disease that develops quietly without pain. However, when it comes to your eyes, painlessness doesn't necessarily mean harmlessness.

Eye diseases that usually do not cause pain

The eyes diseases below generally do not cause pain and may not cause any symptoms in their early stages.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma typically develops gradually when the optic nerve becomes damaged. It can occur due to increased eye pressure. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is one of the top causes of blindness in adults. Glaucoma is typically painless because the deterioration of the optic nerve is gradual and doesn't usually cause discomfort. In the later stages, glaucoma can cause blurry and tunnel vision.

Age-related macular degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops when the macula in the retina deteriorates. The macula allows for central vision. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, risk factors for developing AMD: 

• Being overweight 
• Having a family history of the disease
• Smoking 
• Being over age 50

There are two primary types of age-related macular degeneration: dry AMD and wet AMD. Both forms are usually painless. Early symptoms may include difficulty seeing in low light and mild blurriness. As the condition progresses, it can lead to a loss of central vision.

Retinal Tears and Detachments: A retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from its normal position. A retinal tear is a small break or tear in the retina. Because the retina has no pain receptors, damage can occur without any pain. Warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment include light flashes, new floaters, and a shadow moving across your field of vision. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency and requires fast treatment to preserve vision. 
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Protecting your vision 

In some instances, by the time you experience vision loss from the diseases above, it is too late to reverse it, but there are things you can do to protect your vision throughout your life.

One of the best ways to identify eye diseases is through a comprehensive eye exam. Even though symptoms may not be present, an eye exam can diagnose eyes diseases in their early stages. Getting an early diagnosis helps you know the steps to take to decrease vision loss and slow the progression of the disease.

Additional ways to protect your eyes and vision include:

• Wearing sunglasses to prevent UV damage
• Eat a healthy diet including plenty of omega 3 fatty acids
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes
• Exercise regularly
• Do not smoke

If you have any questions about the eye diseases above or your eye health, we are happy to help.
Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.