Malfunctions of Eye and Ear

Malfunctions of the Eye

Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a common vision condition where close objects can be seen clearly, but distant ones appear blurred. This is due to the eye ball being too long or the cornea curving excessively, causing light to focus in front of the retina, rather than directly on it.
Hyperopia, or long-sightedness, is where distant objects can be seen clearly, but close ones are blurred. This usually occurs when the eye is too short or the lens does not curve enough, causing light to focus behind the retina.
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, causing light to focus at multiple points, leading to blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
Cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens, which interrupts the passage of light. It causes blurry vision and can lead to blindness if untreated.
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition involving damage to the optic nerve often caused by high intraocular pressure. It can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Macular degeneration affects the part of the retina known as the macula, causing ring-like distortions in the central vision field. It’s usually age-related and can lead to loss of central vision.

Malfunctions of the Ear

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the ossicles of the middle ear. It’s often due to ear infections, fluid in the middle ear, or problems with the bones of the middle ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss refers to problems with the inner ear or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. It’s generally caused by damage to the cochlea, and is sometimes age-related or a result of exposure to loud noise.
Tinnitus is a condition where one hears a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears even when no such sound is present. It can be caused by damage to the inner ear or exposure to loud noises, among other things.
Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear typically caused by bacteria or viruses. It can cause temporary hearing loss and discomfort.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic, incurable vestibular (inner ear) disorder causing dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of congestion or fullness in the ear.
Otosclerosis is a hereditary disorder causing progressive deafness due to overgrowth of bone in the middle ear which interferes with the transmission of sound.

Understanding these conditions can contribute to the basics of diagnosis, the development of treatment options or preventive measures, and the implementation of appropriate personal or social care strategies.