Eye Conditions
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurred vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is irregularly shaped or sometimes because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye.
An irregularly shaped cornea or lens prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurred at any distance. This can lead to eye discomfort and headaches.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye.
Often called “pink eye,” conjunctivitis is a common eye disease, especially in children. It may affect one or both eyes. Some forms of conjunctivitis are highly contagious and can easily spread in schools and at home. While conjunctivitis is usually a minor eye infection, sometimes it can develop into a more serious problem.
Dry eye is a condition in which a person doesn’t have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs in people who have diabetes. It causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes.
Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar (glucose). The disease is characterized by too much sugar in the blood, which can cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.8 million people have AMD and another 7.3 million are at substantial risk for vision loss from AMD.
Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure in your eyes is above the range considered normal with no detectable changes in vision or damage to the structure of your eyes. The term is used to distinguish people with elevated pressure from those with glaucoma, a serious eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.
Ocular hypertension can occur in people of all ages, but it occurs more frequently in African Americans, people over age 40 and people with family histories of ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. It is also more common in people who are very nearsighted or who have diabetes.
Presbyopia is a vision condition in which the shape of the crystalline lens of your eye changes. These changes make it difficult to focus on close objects.
Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but sight reduction occurs over a number of years. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s, but the reduction of your accommodation starts as early as childhood.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
A rare but serious eye infection associated with poor contact lens hygiene and other factors.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia is a vision development problem in infants and young children that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Anisocoria – NEW!
Is one pupil bigger than the other? Learn about anisocoria (unequal pupils).
Astigmatism
Usually caused by an irregular cornea, astigmatism causes blur at all distances.
Bell’s Palsy
This condition causes sudden paralysis of one side of the face. Because it affects blinking, it can cause severe dry eye.
Black Eye
How serious is a black eye? How to treat black eyes.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids associated with chronic eye irritation, watery eyes, foreign body sensation, sensitivity to light and crusty debris at the base of the eyelashes.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision has many causes, from fatigue and eyestrain to serious eye diseases such as glaucoma.
Burning Eyes
How to get relief from burning, stinging eyes.
Cataracts
The risk of cataracts increases with age. Cataract Surgery
Chalazion
A swollen bump in the eyelid.
CMV Retinitis
About 80 percent of adults have been exposed to the cytomegalovirus (CMV), but it mostly affects people with poor immune systems, such as AIDS patients.
Color Blindness
Color vision deficiency
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Redness, swelling, itching and tearing of pink eye.
Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Eye)
A scratched cornea is usually very painful.
Corneal Ulcer
Treatment may help prevent scarring on your eye.
Detached Retina
Flashes of light and floating spots are classic warning signs of a detached retina — get them checked out ASAP.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Damage to the eye’s retina due to diabetes.
Double Vision (Diplopia)
Many conditions cause double vision, including stroke and cataracts.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Eye Allergies
Itchy, red, swollen, tearing eyes may mean eye allergies.
Eye Herpes
Ocular herpes is a recurrent viral infection that may lead to serious vision loss.
Eye Infections
Learn about bacterial, viral and fungal eye infections, including symptoms.
Eye Occlusions (Eye Strokes)
Sudden vision loss can occur when a clot or blockage interrupts blood flow to vital eye structures.
Eye Pain
How to know if a painful eye is an emergency.
Eye Twitching
Eyelid twitches, tics and spasms are maddening.
Floaters, Flashes and Spots
Eye floaters and flashes may be harmless, or they may signal a serious problem, like a detached retina.
Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy
Causes loss of vision and clouding of the cornea due to degeneration of the corneal endothelium and corneal edema.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and diminishes the field of vision. Narrow-angle glaucoma, Primary open-angle glaucoma
Heterochromia
Two different colored eyes.
Higher-Order Aberrations
HOA’s are vision errors causing poor night vision or double images.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsighted people can have poor near vision or blurred vision at all distances.
Hyphema
A hyphema is a broken blood vessel in the eye that causes blood to collect in the space between the cornea and iris. It’s usually painful and can cause glaucoma.
Itchy Eyes
Keratoconus
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Stargardt’s disease is a form of macular degeneration that can affect children.
Macular Dystrophy
Inherited eye disease.
Macular Hole
Suddenly blurry or distorted vision, especially in seniors and diabetics.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
MGD is the culprit behind most cases of dry eye syndrome.
Milia
Eyelid Cysts
Myopia
Nearsightedness
Nystagmus
Uncontrollable eye movements
Ocular Hypertension
High eye pressure has no symptoms, but can be easily detected in an eye exam.
Ocular Migraine
Sensation of looking through shattered glass.
Ocular Rosacea
How to solve eye and eyelid irritation.
Optic Neuritis and Optic Neuropathy
An inflamed optic nerve
Peripheral Vision Loss
Tunnel vision
Photophobia
Light Sensitivity
Pinguecula
Growths on the eye
Presbyopia
Normal age-related loss of focusing ability that becomes noticeable after age 40
Pterygium (surfer’s eye)
Growths on the eyeball that interfere with vision
Ptosis
Drooping Eyelid
Red Eyes
Caused by allergies, eye infections and eye injuries
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Poor night vision and a narrowing field of vision beginning in childhood
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Dry eye is a common symptom of this autoimmune disorder.
Snow Blindness
Painful sunburned eye and temporary vision loss from UV exposure
Stargardt’s Disease (STGD)
Macular degeneration that affects children and young people
Strabismus
Crossed eyes
Stye
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Sudden redness in the white of your eye
Swollen Eyelids
Uveitis
Painful inflammation of the uvea causes light sensitivity, floaters and blurred vision.