Common Eye Disorders

What are some common eye disorders?

The following list provides a brief description of several common eye disorders. Consult your physician or an ophthalmologist for more information.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the breaking down, or degeneration, of the macula area of the retina of the eye.

Amblyopia is reduction or dimming of vision in an eye that appears to be normal.

Astigmatism is a condition in which an abnormal curvature of the cornea can cause two focal points to fall in two different locations - making objects up close and at a distance appear blurry.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids involving hair follicles and glands that open onto the surface.

Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes dense or opaque and does not properly transmit light.

Chalazion is a small bump that develops on the upper or lower eyelid. It is caused by inflamed meibomian glands that produce the oil in tears.

Conjunctivitis, sometimes called pink eye, is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the sclera and inside of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacteria or viruses, making it very contagious.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a disorder of the retina resulting from changes in the eye blood vessels and found in some people who have diabetes.

Dry Eye occurs when there is not enough moisture in the eye, causing it to feel dry, hot, sandy, and gritty. Dry eye may be caused by low humidity, smoke, aging, certain diseases, and certain medications (i.e., antihistamines, decongestants).

Floaters appear as spots, dots, or lines and affect or interrupt vision. Floaters are usually caused by bits of debris in the vitreus humor.

Glaucoma is a disease that impairs the optic nerve when fluid and pressure build up in the eye and damage the optic nerve.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly up close.

Iritis is an inflammation of the iris of the eye.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means a person has trouble seeing clearly in the distance.

Presbyopia is another type of farsightedness and is caused when the center of the eye lens hardens making it unable to accommodate near vision.

Retina Detachment is the separation of the retina from the back of the eye.

Retinitis Pigmentosa is actually the name given to a group of hereditary eye disorders, all of which involve the eye's retina, the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, and all of which cause a gradual, yet progressive, loss or reduction in visual ability.

Strabismus is crossed eyes.

Stye is a noncontagious, bacterial infection of one of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid. A stye looks like a small, red bump either on the eyelid or on the edge of the eyelid.

Uveitis is a condition that occurs in the uvea, or the middle coat of the eye. Because the uvea contains the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the eye, any form of uveitis may be serious and may be a symptom for other serious conditions.

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