Eye Problems and Diseases

Section Editor: Gary Heiting, OD

Have questions about an eye condition or vision problem? Browse our extensive list of doctor-written and doctor-reviewed articles for reliable, easy-to-understand information.

Please keep in mind that these articles are for general education purposes only. If you suspect you have an eye condition or vision problem or you have injured your eye, see an eye doctor immediately.

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. Learn the symptoms, causes and treatments.

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. Also see the Eye Doctor Q&A on astigmatism.

Bell's Palsy
This condition causes sudden paralysis of one side of the face. Because it affects blinking, it can cause severe dry eye.

Bionic Eye Implants
Learn about retinal implants that are restoring functional vision to people with retinitis pigmentosa and other blinding conditions.

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. A video helps explain blurry vision causes and treatments.

Burning Eyes
How to get relief from burning, stinging eyes.

Cataracts
The risk of cataracts increases with age. Learn what causes them and how to protect your eyes.
See also: Cataract News | FAQ | Eye Doctor Q&A | Congenital Cataracts

Cataract Surgery
It's the most common non-elective surgery in the United States. Recent innovations include laser-assisted cataract surgery.
See also: Cataract Surgery Cost | Cataract Surgery Recovery | Choosing a Cataract Surgeon | Cataract Surgery Complications | Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) | Crystalens & Accommodating IOLs | Multifocal IOLs | Mixing Multifocal Lenses | IOLs for Presbyopia FAQ | Toric IOLs for Astigmatism | A Cataract Surgeon Undergoes Cataract Surgery

Chalazion
A swollen bump in the eyelid. Learn about causes and treatments.

Clinical Trials Related to Eye Diseases
Find out the status of clinical trials for treatment of glaucoma, macular degeneration, blepharitis and 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 the varieties of color vision deficiency and how to cope with color blindness.

Common Eye Disorders
How to identify and manage everyday eye problems.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
What you can do about redness, swelling, itching and tearing of pink eye. (Also available: conjuntivitis en español.) Learn about pink eye treatment and the various conjunctivitis types. Find out answers to common questions such as how long pink eye lasts, how to get rid of pink eye and how long pink eye is contagious.

Cornea Transplant
Eye injuries and diseases like keratoconus may require a cornea transplant, using healthy tissue from an eye donor.

Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Eye)
A scratched cornea is usually very painful. What to do if it happens to you.

Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Not yet FDA-approved, these procedures can strengthen the front surface of the eye and help keratoconus patients avoid a cornea transplant.

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. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on retinal problems.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Damage to the eye's retina due to diabetes. Also read about treatment for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. More details are found in our Eye Doctor Q&A on how diabetes affects your eyes and our diabetic retinopathy FAQ.

Different Colored Eyes (Heterochromia)
Many people (and animals) have two different colored eyes. What causes it? Is it a problem that requires an eye exam?

Double Vision (Diplopia)
Many conditions cause double vision, including stroke and cataracts. What to do.

Dry Eye Infographic - Sponsored
Learn eight symptoms, causes and steps to managing dry eye.

Dry Eye Syndrome
Why eyes get dry. Also read about dry eye treatments and relief, such as eye drops, tear duct (punctal) plugs and nutritional supplements for more eye moisture. Also, see the dry eye doctor's answers to reader questions. To learn more, view details about how punctal plugs work and our FAQ on dry eyes and the best contact lenses for them.

Eye Allergies
Itchy, red, swollen, tearing eyes may mean eye allergies. Get tips for relief, and read our Eye Doctor Q&A about common eye allergy symptoms.

Eye and Vision News
Breaking news about eye care and vision problems.

Eye and Vision Product News
New eyewear and vision care products designed to improve your life.

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

Eye Infections
Learn about bacterial, viral and fungal eye infections, including symptoms.

Eye Injury: A Guide to Treatment
Accidents cause many kinds of eye injuries, from corneal scratches to penetrating wounds. What to do for an eye emergency.

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 Symptoms A to Z
A list of nearly 100 eye symptoms and the problems and diseases associated with them.

Eye Twitching
Eyelid twitches, tics and spasms are maddening. Here are eight remedies you can try.

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. Learn about glaucoma causes, eye drops for glaucoma, narrow-angle glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma and glaucoma surgery.
See also: Eye Doctor Q&A | Glaucoma News & Research | Glaucoma FAQ

Glaucoma Surgery
New options for controlling glaucoma with surgery.

Higher-Order Aberrations
Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) 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 - New!
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.

Intacs for Keratoconus
These tiny corneal inserts can help flatten a bulging eye.

Itchy Eyes
What causes itchy eyes and eyelids — and how to get relief.

Keratoconus
Special contact lenses can help this condition that changes the shape of your eye. You can read answers to reader questions on our Ask the Eye Doctor About Keratoconus page. Also read more about keratoconus on our Keratoconus FAQ and Intacs for Keratoconus pages.

Losing an Eye: Enucleation and Prosthetic Eye FAQ
FAQ about eye removal surgery (enucleation) and glass eyes.

Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Our 10-page section covers this sight-threatening disease, plus FDA-approved macular degeneration treatments, investigational treatments, macular degeneration prevention, how to use an Amsler Grid and the Lucentis vs. Avastin treatment debate. Stargardt's disease is a form of macular degeneration that can affect children.
See also: AMD News | Eye Doctor Q&A | FAQ

Macular Dystrophy
Central vision loss can be associated with this inherited eye disease.

Macular Hole
Suddenly blurry or distorted vision, especially in seniors and diabetics, may mean a macular hole.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
MGD is the culprit behind most cases of dry eye syndrome. Find out how to spot it and what you can do to get relief.

Milia (Eyelid Cysts) - New!
What causes those tiny eyelid cysts in babies and adults, and how they are treated.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsighted people can see fine up close, but distant objects are a blur.

Nystagmus
Uncontrollable eye movements from nystagmus often have neurological causes.

Ocular Hypertension
High eye pressure has no symptoms, but can be easily detected in an eye exam. Learn what can be done to prevent glaucoma and possible eye damage.

Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraine causes a sensation of looking through shattered glass. What's happening? Also, read our Eye Doctor Q&A about ocular migraines.

Ocular Rosacea
How to solve eye and eyelid irritation.

Optic Neuritis and Optic Neuropathy
An inflamed optic nerve can cause blurry vision and blind spots.

Peripheral Vision Loss
"Tunnel vision" can have various causes, including glaucoma.

Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)
Sensitive to light? Many eye conditions can cause this problem.

Pinguecula
Pingueculae are growths on the eye. Are they serious?

Presbyopia
All about this normal age-related loss of focusing ability that becomes noticeable after age 40. Also, read answers to frequently asked questions for a quick overview.

Pterygium
Pterygia, also called "surfer's eye," are growths on the eyeball that can interfere with vision.

Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)
Drooping eyelids can be corrected with ptosis repair surgery, which tightens the muscle that supports the upper eyelid.

Red Eyes
Red eyes can be caused by allergies, eye infections and eye injuries. Learn more causes of red eye and how to treat bloodshot eyes.

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

Sjogren's Syndrome
Dry eye is a common symptom of this autoimmune disorder.

Sleep in Your Eyes
Do you often wake up with sticky, slimy, crusty "eye gunk"? This article explains where eye discharge comes from and when it's cause for alarm.

Snow Blindness
How to prevent a painful sunburned eye and temporary vision loss from UV exposure.

Stargardt's Disease (STGD)
A form of macular degeneration that affects children and young people.

Strabismus
Key facts about strabismus and crossed eyes, including causes and treatments (strabismus surgery, vision therapy and orthoptics).

Strabismus Surgery
These procedures adjust eye muscles to straighten misaligned eyes. Also, read an Eye Doctor Q&A about what to expect from strabismus surgery.

Stye
What causes styes in your eyelid — and how to prevent them.

Stye Treatment - New!
How to get rid of a stye and keep them from coming back.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Sudden redness in the white of your eye may be a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Swollen Eyelids
Swollen eyes have many causes. Here are tips for prevention and treatment.

Uveitis
Painful inflammation of the uvea causes light sensitivity, floaters and blurred vision.

Vitrectomy & Vitreoretinal Procedures
These delicate surgical procedures for macular holes, retinal detachments and other conditions are performed in the eye's deep interior.

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[Page updated February 6, 2018]