There are many diseases than can affect the eyes, and by age 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision-impairing disease. In many cases, they do not know it because there are often no warning symptoms or they assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older.
Glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are common causes of blindness that have no warning symptoms, but can be treated—and blindness prevented—if they are detected early through a regular eye exam with an ophthalmologist.
Diseases and Conditions of the Eye
Affects two or three people out of 100. One eye did not develop normal sight during childhood, so one eye is strong and one eye is weak ("lazy"). Early detection (before age 9) is essential to successful treatment. Both eyes need to have normal vision to see depth. Have your child's vision checked by age four by a pediatrician, family physician, or ophthalmologist. Find more information about Amblyopia.
Caused by a cornea that curves more in one direction than another—like a football—people with astigmatism have blurred or distorted vision both near and far. This is a refractive error that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
A nerve disorder that causes paralysis on one side of the face. If the eyelid doesn't close all the way, your eye is at risk for irritation. See your ophthalmologist for an examination and treatment. Find more information about Bell’s Palsy.
A common cause of vision loss, especially as we age. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens, treatable with surgery. If your vision is blurry, see your ophthalmologist for an examination to diagnose cataracts and rule out any other reason for blurred vision. Find more information about Cataracts.
A very serious problem that almost always causes blindness, unless it is treated. The retina is the nerve layer at the back of your eye. When it is pulled away from its normal position, it doesn’t work. If you see flashing lights, floaters, or a gray shadow in your vision, contact your ophthalmologist right away. Find more information about Detached and Torn Retina.
Damage to the blood vessels in the retina caused by high blood-sugar levels. Early diagnosis and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy can prevent vision loss. If you have diabetes, maintain control of your blood sugar and schedule an eye exam with an ophthalmologist at least once a year. Find more information about Diabetic Retinopathy.
A condition where you aren’t producing enough tears for healthy eyes. The symptoms include itchy scratchy or watery eyes, because tearing is a response to irritation. Over-the counter “artificial tears” drops often relieve this condition, but you should see your ophthalmologist if symptoms persist. Find more information about Dry Eye.
Actually tiny clumps and strands within the gel of the eye that cast shadows on the retina, floaters appear as small specks moving in front of your eyes. Flashers look like lightening streaks. They happen when the gel pulls on its attachment to your retina, the part of the eye that senses light. If you suddenly notice an increase in floaters or flashes, see your ophthalmologist right away. There may be a serious problem with your retina. Find more about Floaters and Flashes.
The leading cause of blindness in the United States, glaucoma damages the optic nerve—the part of the eye that carries the images we see to the brain. Early treatment can often prevent loss of sight, but the most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms in the early stages. Be sure to get regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist. If your vision seems blurry, if you have severe eye pain, or if you see rainbow-colored halos around lights, call your ophthalmologist right away. Find more information about Glaucoma.
Also called far sightedness, in hyperopia the eye is shorter than normal and light from close objects cannot focus on the retina. People with hyperopia will have blurred vision when reading or doing close work. This is a refractive error that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Loss of eyesight that makes everyday tasks difficult even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. See your opthalmologist to identify and treat the eye diseases that cause low vision and help you adjust. Find more information about Low Vision.
The leading cause of vision loss in people 65 years or older in the United States. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the breakdown of the macula, a small area in the back of the eye that provides the sharp central vision we need for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. Get regular eye exams from an ophthalmologist, especially after age 65. Your doctor can detect early stages of macular degeneration. Find more information about Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Also called near sightedness, in myopia the eye is longer than normal or the cornea is too steep. Light rays focus in front of the retina. Close objects are clear but distant objects are blurred. This is a refractive error that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Inflamation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear membrane that covers the eyeball and part of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is often caused by a virus or bacteria. It may occur in one or both eyes, and it can be very contagious. The affected person should see a doctor immediately, wash your hands to prevent it from spreading, and stay home from school or work until the eye is better. Find more information about Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis).
Inability to see clearly close up is age-related and will affect everybody at some point after age 40. The eye’s lens becomes less flexible, losing the ability to adjust to near vision. A common example is people with presbyopia finding themselves holding reading material farther and farther from their eyes. This is a refractive error that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Eyes that appear to point in different directions, but actually do not. The eyes of an infant may appear to turn inward or (less often) to turn outward. As the infant’s facial structures mature, this appearance usually improves or disappears. But a vision screening is the only way to tell whether a child has a serious vision problem. When you visit your pediatrician, ask the doctor to check your child's eyes. Find more information about Pseudostrabismus.
A drooping of the upper eyelid than can block normal vision. Ptosis can be present in children or adults, in one or both eyes. Children with Ptosis should have more frequent eye exams with an ophthalmologist. Find more information about Ptosis.
problems with the shape of the eye of lens that affect the eye’s ability to focus light properly on the retina. These are problems that can generally be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The most common refractive errors are astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia and presbyopia. Find more information about refractive errors.
A malignant tumor of childhood that grows in the retina. It can destroy a child’s vision and can even be fatal, but with early diagnosis treatment is possible. If your child’s pupil appears white, for example under bright light or in a flash photograph, contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Find more information about Retinoblastoma.
A condition in which the eyeballs point in different directions. It can be a disorder of the brain or of one or more muscles that move the eyes. Most adults with Strabismus have had the condition since childhood. Strabismus that begins in adulthood may be caused by medical problems such as diabetes, thyroid disease, myasthenia gravis, brain tumors, head trauma, or strokes. Occasionally, a cataract or a tumor in the eye can cause strabismus. These conditions may require urgent medical attention. Most people with Strabismus, however, have none of these problems. Your ophthalmologist may suggest surgery, eye exercises, or other treatments to help your eyes focus. Find more information about Strabismus.
An irritation and swelling of the middle layer (uvea) of the coats of the eye. Uveitis can scar the eye or lead to blindness. If your eye is red, painful, and sensitive to light, see an ophthalmalogist as soon as possible. Find more information about Uveitis.
Diseases
