Eye Problems and Diseases

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Read about AMD signs and symptoms, FDA-approved AMD treatments, investigational AMD treatments and the Lucentis vs. Avastin treatment debate.

Allergies
Itchy, red, swollen, tearing eyes often mean eye allergies. Get tips on relief.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia usually develops in young children and can mean permanent visual dysfunction if not diagnosed and treated early in life.

Astigmatism
Don't despair: this form of distorted vision is usually correctable with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Also see our Eye Doctor Q&A on astigmatism.

Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids can cause chronic eye irritation, tearing, foreign body sensation and crusty debris. Learn about the best treatments.

Cataracts
If you live long enough, you are likely to get a cataract, which causes cloudy vision. Fortunately, cataract removal is a routine procedure — learn about it in our article on cataract surgery. Also see our news about cataracts for the latest research, our FAQs, and Q&As answered by Dr. Charles Slonim. Read about the latest new intraocular lenses (IOLs) that can help you see at all distances, with a FAQ. NEW: Learn about mixing multifocal IOLs from a personal experience article. Plus, read what you can do if your child has congenital cataracts.

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Learn about the best intraocular lens options for you after cataract surgery with this quiz.

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A cataract lens for better image quality, increased contrast sensitivity and improved functional vision.

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Now it's possible to correct the cataracts clouding your vision — and the astigmatism distorting your vision — all at once.

What's your eye problem? Check the Symptoms A to Z list.

Clinical Trials Related to Eye Diseases
Look here if you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for treatment of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, blepharitis or other eye problems and diseases.

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
Learn about the different types of color deficiency and how to cope in a color-coded world.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Learn what you can do about the redness, swelling, itching and tearing of pink eye. Also read about the various conjunctivitis types and our tips on pinkeye prevention to keep you and your children from getting and receiving pink eye over and over.

Cornea Transplant
Eye injuries and diseases such as keratoconus are among reasons why you might need a cornea transplant, which uses healthy tissue from an eye donor to repair damage to the eye's clear surface.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes causes retinal degradation that can be sight-threatening. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on how diabetes affects your eyes and our FAQs. To stay up to date, please read the diabetic retinopathy news page.

Double Vision (Diplopia)
Double vision can be caused by many underlying conditions, including a stroke or cataracts. Read expert advice about what to do if you have this problem.

Dry Eye Syndrome
Why eyes get dry and problems that can result. Drops, tear duct plugs and nutritional supplements can help restore eye moisture. NEW: Ask the dry eye doctor your question. Also read our FAQs on dry eyes and the best contact lenses for them.

Eye Color
Learn how eye color is inherited and what it means if you have eyes of two different colors.

Eye Herpes
Ocular herpes is a recurrent viral infection that can sometimes lead to serious vision loss. Read how herpes of the eye is transmitted and treated.

Eye Safety
How to protect your eyes on the job or at play; what to do after an accident.

Eye Symptoms A to Z
For information on specific symptoms such as red eyes, inflammation and blurriness, and also on the less common diseases.

Eye Twitching
Eyelid twitches, tics and spasms can be maddening. Here are common causes.

Floaters and Spots
Usually harmless, floaters can also be signs of a serious problem, such as a detached retina.
 

Is radiation from computer monitors harmful to your eyes? Yes No

Glaucoma
A damaged optic nerve and a diminishing field of vision result from glaucoma. Learn about the latest research and other glaucoma news. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on glaucoma and our FAQs. Plus: glaucoma surgery, narrow-angle glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.

Higher-Order Aberrations (HOAs)
If severe enough, vision errors known as higher-order aberrations (HOAs) can cause symptoms such as night vision problems or double images.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
If you're hyperopic, you may see better from a distance than up close, or your vision may be blurred at all distances.

Keratoconus
Special contact lenses can help people with thinning, bulging corneas to see better. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on keratoconus. In addition, see the article on Intacs for keratoconus: originally marketed for correction of mild myopia, Intacs are now used mostly to correct the poor vision caused by keratoconus.

Macular Degeneration (AMD)
An estimated 13 million Americans have signs of this sight-threatening disease, the world's number one cause of blindness. But medical researchers are working on it — find out about FDA-approved macular degeneration treatments, as well as macular degeneration treatments still in development and the Lucentis vs. Avastin treatment debate. Also catch up on macular degeneration news and read our FAQs and Eye Doctor Q&A on macular degeneration.

Miscellaneous Vision Problems
Can't find your topic? Try the Eye Doctor Q&A, where our advisory board members have answered all kinds of questions about the eyes. Or check the Eye Symptoms A to Z list.

Macular Holes
Suddenly blurry or distorted vision, especially in older people and diabetics, sometimes indicates a macular hole.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

News About Vision and the Eyes
The latest developments in vision research, eye exam legislation, eye jewelry, etc.

New Products for the Eyes
From eye drops to vitamins to eyewear accessories, here are the newest vision care products for making your life easier — and healthier.

Nystagmus
Involuntary eye movements associated with nystagmus often have neurological causes.

Ocular Hypertension
Elevated eye pressure has no symptoms, but it is easily detected in an eye exam. Take care of it before it develops into glaucoma.

Ocular Migraine
A painless ocular migraine can give you the brief sensation of looking through shattered glass. But little is known about this condition, which generally is considered harmless.

Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)
Lots of eye conditions can be the underlying cause of bothersome light sensitivity.

Pinguecula and Pterygium
Pingueculae and pterygia are often confused with each other, but there are differences between these two eye growths.

Presbyopia
Greek for "elder eye," presbyopia means difficulty see close up for those in their 40s and older.

Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)
Your eyelids don't have to droop; find out about surgery to correct them.

Retinal Detachment
Flashes of lights and floating spots are classic warning signs of a detached retina, so get this checked out right away. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on retinal problems.

Retinitis Pigmentosa
Poor night vision and an ever-narrowing field of vision beginning in childhood herald this rare hereditary disorder. Can Vitamin A help? Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on retinal problems.

Stargardt's Disease (STGD)
Children and younger people can develop this usually inherited form of macular degeneration, which often leads to permanent loss of central vision. Stargardt's also sometimes is known as fundus flavimaculatus.

Strabismus
Misaligned eyes can mean not only crossed eyes but also eyes that point outward, upward or downward. There are remedies for strabismus.

Styes
Learn the best ways to get rid of these unpleasant little bumps in a hurry.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Learn what causes sudden redness in the white of your eye, a common condition known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Uveitis
Inflammation of the uvea can be painful and may cause light sensitivity, floaters and blurred vision. Learn about symptoms and treatment.

[Page updated May 2008]