What are some common treatments for eye conditions?
There are many possible treatments for eye conditions, and the treatments can vary widely. Some conditions or concerns that are common or not severe may have simpler treatments. Other conditions or concerns need more advanced care options.
Some examples of types of eye care include:
Vision correction. This is the main approach to treating eyesight issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness or age-related near vision loss. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common options. Some people need prescription glasses or contacts, while others may only need reading glasses (sometimes known as "cheaters"). Others may choose to undergo vision correction surgery.
Medications. Medications can treat many conditions that — either directly or indirectly — affect your eyes. The type of medication depends on the specific condition(s) involved and other factors. These include medicated drops or ointments you apply to your eyes or medications you take other ways (by mouth, via injection or infusion, etc.).
Surgery. Many eye conditions are treatable with surgery. These can include a variety of methods, including phacoemulsification (which uses ultrasound to break up cataracts), cryotherapy (which uses intense cold), radiofrequency ablation (which uses intense heat) and laser surgery.
Many other possible treatments can play a role in treating eye conditions or symptoms. Because there are many influencing factors, your eye care specialist or healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about treatment options. They can explain the options and help you choose one that's most likely to help you.
Care
How can I care for and keep my eyes healthy?
There are several things you can do to maintain your eye health. You can:
Get regular eye exams. Everyone should get an eye exam every one to two years, regardless of whether or not they need glasses or contacts. And if you have a higher risk of eye disease, you may need more frequent eye exams. Your eye specialist can advise you on how often you should get an exam.
Wear eye protection. Safety glasses or goggles can make all the difference in avoiding eye injuries or damage. While putting them on might seem like a hassle or unnecessary step, they can spare you a lot of pain and avoid irreversible damage.
Quit using tobacco, or never start. Nicotine-containing products, including vaping or smokeless (chewing) tobacco, can contribute to circulatory problems over time. This is especially true of the smaller, more delicate blood vessels in your eyes. Ask your provider for resources to help you quit.
Make nutrition a priority. Getting enough essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients is a big help to your eye health.
Reach and maintain a weight that's healthy for you. Your weight and overall health can influence your eye health.
Don't ignore eye-related symptoms. Changes in your vision or symptoms that otherwise affect your eyes are often the earliest signs of a greater issue. Talk to an eye care specialist or healthcare provider about your concerns. It's better to ask and not have an issue than not ask and have an existing issue worsen.
Let's proceed to the Nose
Your nose is part of your respiratory system. It allows air to enter your body, then filters debris and warms and moistens the air. Your nose gives you a sense of smell and helps shape your appearance. Many common symptoms affect your nose, such as a stuffy nose and nosebleed. Other symptoms may need treatment to keep your nose functioning well.
Your nose is a structure that sticks out from the middle of your face, is part of your respiratory system
Function
What is the function of your nose?
Your nose is involved in several important bodily functions:
Allows air to enter your body.
Contributes to how you look and how you sound when you speak.
Filters and cleans air to remove particles and allergens.
Provides a sense of smell.
Warms and moistens air so it can move comfortably into your respiratory system.
Your nose is also a prominent aspect of your facial appearance and your sense of well-being.
Anatomy
What are the parts of your nose?
Your nose anatomy includes:
Bone: The hard bridge at the top of your nose is made of bone.
Hair and cilia: Hair and cilia (tiny, hairlike structures) inside your nose trap dirt and particles. Then they move those particles toward your nostrils, where they can be sneezed out or wiped away.
Lateral walls (outer walls): The outer walls of your nose are made of cartilage and covered in skin. The walls form your nasal cavities and your nostrils.
Nasal cavities: Your nose has two nasal cavities, hollow spaces where air flows in and out. They are lined with mucous membranes.
Nerve cells: These cells communicate with your brain to provide a sense of smell.
Nostrils (nares): These are the openings to the nasal cavities that are on the face.
Septum: The septum is made of bone and firm cartilage. It runs down the center of your nose and separates the two nasal cavities.
Sinuses: You have four pairs of sinuses. These air-filled pockets are connected to your nasal cavities. They produce the mucus that keeps your nose moist.
Turbinates (conchae): There are three pairs of turbinates located along the sides of both nasal cavities. These folds inside your nose help warm and moisten air after you breathe it in and help with nasal drainage.
Conditions and Disorders
What conditions and disorders can affect your nose?
Health conditions that can affect your nose include:
Allergic rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) can cause irritation, sneezing, runny nose or stuffy nose.
Deviated septum: A deviated septum occurs when your septum is off-center, either at birth or from injury. It can cause breathing problems, nasal congestion and headaches.
Enlarged turbinates: Allergens and irritants can make the turbinates swell, which can block airflow and affect normal breathing.
Injury or trauma: Your nose can be broken or injured, similar to any other external part of your body.
Infection: An infection can cause many of the same symptoms as allergic rhinitis. Examples include sinus infections and the common cold.
Nasopharyngeal cancer: Your nose can be the site of head and neck cancer.
Nasal polyps: Nasal polyps are bumps that can block airflow or prevent your nose from filtering air.
Nasal valve collapse: Often caused by an accident or trauma to your nose, nasal valve collapse is the most common cause of nasal obstruction.
Nosebleed (epistaxis): Nosebleeds occur when a blood vessel in your nose breaks. They are common, and most aren't serious.
How can I keep my nose healthy?
Avoid smoking or breathing in secondhand smoke.
Don't remove nose hairs, or do it carefully, because they filter dirt and debris.
Drink plenty of water.
Keep your home clean to reduce the amount of dust and other allergens you may breathe in. Wash your bedsheets to remove dust.
Squirt saline into the nasal cavities to keep them clean and moist.
Use a humidifier at home to keep the air moist.