Common Eye Conditions and Diseases

Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. The eye itself looks normal, but it is not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye. This condition is also sometimes called lazy eye. Facts […]

Astigmatism is a common type of refractive error. It is a condition in which the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This information was developed by the National Eye Institute to help patients and their families search for general information about astigmatism. An eye […]

Blepharitis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. It can affect the inside or outside of the eyelids. The condition can be difficult to manage because it tends to recur. Complications from blepharitis include: Stye: A red tender bump on the eyelid that is caused by an acute infection of the oil glands of […]

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. This information was developed by the National Eye Institute to help […]

What is color blindness? Most of us share a common color vision sensory experience. Some people, however, have a color vision deficiency, which means their perception of colors is different from what most of us see. The most severe forms of these deficiencies are referred to as color blindness. People with color blindness aren’t aware of […]

What is the cornea? The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer. It is the clear, dome­-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. It plays an important role in focusing your vision. What are the parts of the cornea? Although the cornea may look clear and seem to lack substance, it is a highly organized tissue. Unlike […]

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of diabetes. People with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma. Points to Remember Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular […]

Facts About Dry Eye This information was developed by the National Eye Institute to help patients and their families search for general information about dry eye. An eye care professional who has examined the patient’s eyes and is familiar with his or her medical history is the best person to answer specific questions. What is […]

Similar to processes that occur with other types of allergic responses, the eye may overreact to a substance perceived as harmful even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive tear production and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals. Also, eye allergies are often hereditary. The […]

Floaters are little “cobwebs” or specks that float about in your field of vision. They are small, dark, shadowy shapes that can look like spots, thread-like strands, or squiggly lines. Floaters Defined What are floaters? Floaters are little “cobwebs” or specks that float about in your field of vision. They are small, dark, shadowy shapes that can look […]

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Open-angle glaucoma, is the most common form of the disease. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early detection […]

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused when airborne spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum are inhaled into the lungs, the primary infection site. This microscopic fungus, which is found throughout the world in river valleys and soil where bird or bat droppings accumulate, is released into the air when soil is disturbed by plowing fields, sweeping […]

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near. However, people experience hyperopia differently. Some people may not notice any problems with their vision, especially when they are young. For people with significant hyperopia, vision can be blurry for […]

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. Keratoconus can occur in one or both eyes. Kerataconus is a progressive thinning of […]

What is low vision? When you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery may not help. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do. In fact, millions of Americans lose some of their sight every year. While vision loss can affect anyone at any age, low vision is most […]

Macular edema is the build-up of fluid in the macula, an area in the center of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye and the macula is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. Fluid buildup causes the macula to swell and thicken, which distorts vision. […]

A macular hole is a small break in the macula, located in the center of the eye’s light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The macular provides the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. Macular Hole Defined What is a macular hole? A macular hole can cause blurred and distorted central vision. Macular holes […]

A macular pucker is scar tissue that forms on the eye’s macula, located in the center of the eye’s light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The macula provides sharp, central vision. A macular pucker can cause blurred and distorted central vision. Macular pucker is also known as epiretinal membrane, preretinal membrane, cellophane maculopathy, retina wrinkle, surface wrinkling […]

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where close objects appear clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. What is myopia? When you look at an object, light rays reflect off that object and pass through the cornea and the lens of the eye, which bend (or refract) the light and focus it […]

Pink eye is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults; about 3 million cases of pink eye occur in the United States each year. Treatment is not always needed and the course of treatment depends on the underlying cause. What is pink eye? Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, involves inflammation […]

Presbyopia is a common type of vision disorder that occurs as you age. It is often referred to as the aging eye condition. Presbyopia results in the inability to focus up close, a problem associated with refraction in the eye. Presbyopia Defined What is presbyopia? Can I have presbyopia and another type of refractive error at the same time? […]

Ptosis (pronounced “toe-sis”) is the drooping of an eyelid. It affects only the upper eyelid of one or both eyes. Ptosis is a drooping or falling of the upper eyelid. The drooping may be worse after being awake longer, when the individual”s muscles are tired. If severe enough and left untreated, the drooping eyelid can cause other conditions, such […]

The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss. What are the different types of retinal detachment? […]

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. Common symptoms include difficulty seeing at night and a loss of side (peripheral) vision. What is retinitis pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in […]

Uveitis is a general term describing a group of inflammatory diseases that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues. These diseases can slightly reduce vision or lead to severe vision loss. Uveitis Defined What is Uveitis? The term “uveitis” is used because the diseases often affect a part of the eye called the uvea. Nevertheless, uveitis is not limited […]