A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens within the eye that often occurs as a person ages. Although many cataracts develop without a known cause, long-term steroid use and diabetes are risk factors. Watch this video to find out what you can expect if you develop a cataract.
If you have pain around the eyes, headaches, and blurred vision after using a computer for several hours, you may have computer vision syndrome. You can ease symptoms with special computer glasses. Watch this video for additional details about this condition and tips on computer use.
The cornea functions as a "clear window" on the front of the eye. A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the cornea. This video discusses how a corneal abrasion occurs, available treatments, and preventive steps you can take.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness. This video will tell you more about glaucoma and how it is treated.
Low vision means that, even with regular glasses, contacts, medicine, or surgery, people find everyday tasks difficult to do. It is important to remember, however, that there is help. Watch this video from the National Eye Institute to learn more.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with low vision, talk with your eye care professional about vision rehabilitation and how it can help. Watch this video from the National Eye Institute for more information.
Watch this video from the National Eye Institute to learn how people with vision loss can maximize their remaining vision and maintain their independence.
People with vision loss often feel anxious, helpless, and depressed. But there is help. Watch this video from the National Eye Institute to learn how vision rehabilitation empowers people with low vision to maintain their independence and keep a positive outlook.
Do you have a friend or loved one who is experiencing vision loss? Watch this video from the National Eye Institute to learn how you can help.
This is a common vision problem that can affect one or both eyes. With it, light isn't focused properly on the retina. Instead, the focus is in front of the retina. With nearsightedness, things in the distance look blurry. But things that are up close look sharp.
This is a common vision problem that can affect one or both eyes. With it, light isn't focused properly on the retina. Instead, the focus is somewhere behind the retina. For young people with farsightedness, things up close may look blurry, but things that are far away look sharp. After age 40, both near and far vision can become blurry.
This disease causes vision loss. It affects the center of your visual field. It usually affects both eyes, but in some people only one eye is affected. This type of degeneration is a gradual thinning and breaking down of the macula. The macula is part of the light-sensitive retina tissue that sees fine details in the center of your visual field.
This is the gradual loss of your ability to see up-close objects clearly. It's a normal part of the aging process, and one that most people first notice in their mid-40s. It tends to get worse until you're about 65.
This is a problem with the shape of your eye. It makes it hard for your eye to focus. This keeps you from seeing clearly. Astigmatism can affect both your near and far vision.
This video looks at the causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in older Americans.
Early signs of AMD can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Behind your eye's pupil is a lens that focuses light. In a healthy eye, this lens is clear. A cataract is a clouding of the lens. A cataract blocks light and can interfere with your vision.
This video looks at the causes of cataract, a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.
National Eye Institute researchers have found a more effective treatment for a common childhood eye problem, called convergence insufficiency.
This disorder, also called "narrow angle" or "closed angle" glaucoma, is a buildup of pressure in your eye. It usually happens very quickly. It can damage your optic nerve. It can cause blindness.
This condition results from a buildup of pressure inside your eye. It develops slowly. Most people don't realize they have a problem until their vision is harmed.
This video looks at the causes of glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve.
This disorder is a misalignment of the eyes. They don't line up to look at the same thing at the same time. They don't give a focused view. When one eye doesn't align properly, it's commonly called a "lazy eye." Strabismus is often noticed shortly after birth. But it can develop later in children and in adults.
This is a pulling away of the retina from the inner surface of your eye. It severely impairs your vision. Without proper treatment, this vision loss can become permanent.
The eye contains a jelly-like liquid we call "vitreous." It fills the eye, and helps it keep its shape. But with this condition, the vitreous separates from the back of the eye. This can harm the layer of light-sensitive cells we call the "retina." It can affect your vision.
With this condition, your tears don't keep your eyes comfortably moist. This happens if your body doesn't make enough tears. It can also happen if your tears are of poor quality.
These are dark or transparent strands or spots that you see floating in your visual field. They move as you move your eyes. When you try to focus on them, they may drift out of your vision. This can be annoying.
This is a blockage of tiny veins in your eye. Normally, these veins carry blood away from your retina (the layer of light-sensing cells at the rear of your eye). When the veins are blocked, your vision can be harmed.
Nystagmus is abnormal eye movement that can't be controlled. Some treatment options may help reduce symptoms, but they won't stop the problem completely.
OHS is a disease that can lead to vision loss. It is caused by a fungus. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of OHS, plus how it is treated.
A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth on your eye. It may be white, pink, or red in color. It is not cancer.
A nevus is a colored growth on your eye. It's much like a mole on your skin.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause blindness. It often begins when pressure builds up in the eye. If caught early, it can often be controlled. But it often has no symptoms, so you need regular eye exams.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over age 50. Learn about the 2 types of AMD and how to spot the symptoms.
The retina is the inside lining of the eye. It turns light into nerve signals. These signals are then sent to the brain where they become the images you see. The retina may be torn or detached due to aging, an eye injury, or other problems. Tears and detachments are painless.
Months or even years after cataract surgery, your vision can become cloudy again. A laser treatment called YAG capsulotomy can help.
You might know it as red eye or pink eye. A quick guide to conjunctivitis and what causes it.
To be comfortable, your eyes need to be lubricated, or bathed, with tears. But if your eyes don't produce enough tears, the surface gets irritated. This is known as dry eyes.
Uveitis is a serious eye problem. Left untreated, it can lead to other conditions such as glaucoma, and even vision loss. Here's what you should know about possible causes and symptoms.
Blepharitis is a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the eyelids. The membrane covering the inside of your eyelid and the white of your eye may also become inflamed. It can't always be cured. But it can be controlled.
Conjunctivitis is an irritation or infection. It affects the membrane that covers the white of your eye and the inside of your eyelid (conjunctiva). It can happen to one or both eyes.
Conjunctivitis may be caused by allergies or other irritants. The problem can keep coming back. Sometimes an eye infection will result. Treatment involves relieving the symptoms and avoiding the cause of the irritation.
Infections are caused by viruses or germs (bacteria). Treatment includes keeping your eyes and hands clean. Your healthcare provider may prescribe eye drops, and tell you to stay home from work or school if you're contagious.
Here is information on different vision problems.
Presbyopia is the loss of close-up focusing. With age, the lens in the eye hardens and can't change its shape as easily. It then can't focus clearly on close objects. This makes them look blurry.
Glasses can correct presbyopia. They focus the image back onto the retina. This way, you can see an object clearly. There are several kinds of glasses you can choose from.
When you have low vision, you can't see well enough to get around or do daily activities. Regular glasses or contact lenses may not help. Your central or side vision, or both, may be reduced.
A clear lens in the eye focuses light. This lets the eye see images sharply. With age, the lens slowly becomes cloudy. The cloudy lens is a cataract. A cataract scatters light and makes it hard for the eye to focus.
In most cases, a black eye is a minor injury and can be treated at home. But there are times when you should get medical care right away.
While a slight cut or scratch to your cornea is minor, some eye injuries can be very serious. Learn when you should go to the emergency room, and what treatment options to expect.
Hyphema is bleeding in the front part of your eye.
Ultraviolet keratitis is when exposure to too much UV (ultraviolet) light hurts your cornea. This causes pain and affects your vision.
Your vision depends on how light is focused in your eye. A look at 3 common problems with focusing that make vision blurry: farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
Strabismus and amblyopia are common vision problems in children. Your child won't outgrow these problems, but both can be treated.
Good vision requires the eyes, eye muscles, and brain to all work together. When that doesn't happen, vision problems can occur.
Aniridia means lack of an iris. It is a rare disorder in which the iris of the eye is partly or completely missing.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on your cornea. In most cases, it's caused by an infection.
Ectropion is an eyelid that sags or turns outward. It often affects one or both lower eyelids. Ectropion leaves the eye too exposed. The eye can become dry, irritated, and even infected. This can lead to serious problems. In some cases it can lead to loss of eyesight.
Herpes eye disease is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. It causes redness, pain, tearing, and other symptoms in the eyes.
Iritis is the inflammation of parts of the eye. It causes pain, sensitivity to light, and other problems.
Keratoconus is an eye disorder where your cornea thins slowly over time. It happens more often in young adults in their teens and 20s.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is when a blood vessel breaks open in the white of the eye. It causes a bright red patch in the white of the eye. It is similar to a bruise on the skin. This type of hemorrhage is common. It can look quite alarming, but it is usually harmless.
When one of the vessels that carry blood to your eye's retina gets blocked, it can cause you to lose your eyesight. This problem often happens suddenly and without any pain. This is called a central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid. It causes swelling of the eyelids, and it is usually caused by a bacterial infection or a skin condition.
Blurred vision is when your vision is no longer sharp and you can't see small details. Any vision changes, whether sudden or over time, should be checked out by an eye specialist.
A chalazion is a blocked, swollen oil gland in the eyelid. A chalazion can vary in size. It may appear on the inside or outside of the lid.
Coloboma is a defect of one or both eyes that is present at birth. With coloboma, a part of the eye is missing a piece of its tissue.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by an injury, allergic reaction, infection, or illness. Symptoms may include redness, irritation, itching, swelling, or burning.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an allergen. Symptoms may include redness of the eye, swelling, fluid leakage, and itching or burning.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by an infection. Symptoms include a thick, pus-like discharge from the eye, swollen eyelids, redness, eyelids sticking together upon awakening, and a gritty or scratchy feeling in the eye.
A conjunctival foreign body is a very small object, such as an eyelash or dirt, that has become trapped under the eyelid. This can be very irritating to the eye, no matter how small the object is.
Viral conjunctivitis is a common infection of the eye. It is very contagious. The most common symptoms include redness, discharge from the eye, swollen eyelids, and a gritty or scratchy feeling in the eye.
An eye contusion can cause pain and swelling around the eye. The skin may also change color.
An abrasion of the cornea is very painful. Symptoms include frequent tearing, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light.
A contact lens can injure the cornea. The cornea is very painful when injured, but it usually heals quickly.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. A corneal ulcer may cause redness, pain, increased tears, and pus or mucus draining from the eye. It may also cause blurry vision and swelling of the eyelid.
Dacryocystitis is an infection of the tear sac. This can happen if the tear duct is blocked. Dacryocystitis can cause redness, swelling, and pain just below the lower lid, near the nose.
The retina is the light-sensitive part of the eye that allows you to see. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels of the retina and cause them to leak or bleed. This damage can lead to abnormal blood vessel growth. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Tight control of your blood sugar can help.
Double vision means that you are seeing 1 object as 2 images. One or both eyes may be affected. There are many causes of double vision.
A flash burn occurs when the eye is exposed to too much ultraviolet light, such as from welding or strong reflected sunlight.
Narrow-angle glaucoma causes the fluid pressure in the eye to rise rapidly. It can result in permanent blindness within days if not treated.
Open-angle glaucoma causes fluid pressure in the eye to rise slowly. This causes vision loss over months to years. It may cause complete blindness if not treated.
Herpes keratitis is an infection of the cornea with the herpes simplex virus. It is a very serious disease, which can cause blindness if it isn't treated. Here's how to care for yourself at home.
Hyphema is bleeding in the front part of the eye. This most often happens after a direct blow to the eye. It may cause blurred or dim vision, and pain from increased pressure in the eye. Read on to learn how to care for this injury at home.
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris. It can be caused by injury to the eye or disease elsewhere in the body. Symptoms include redness, pain in the eye or brow region, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.
The meibomian glands are small glands located inside the upper and lower eyelids. They secrete oils that work with tears. If your meibomian glands become blocked by thickened oils, your eyes will become dry. Your eyes may feel irritated.
Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the tissues around the eye. It's most often caused by an infected scratch or insect bite. Sometimes it's caused by a sinus infection. Learn how to care for this condition at home, and when you should call your healthcare provider.
With age, part of the retina can pull away from the blood vessels at the back of the eye, causing a loss of vision in the affected area. Eye surgery is needed to treat a retinal detachment.
With age, the gel that fills the eye contracts, and can tear the retina. This causes floaters and flashes of light. It can lead to retinal detachment and vision loss.
If a metal particle gets into the eye, tears can cause the metal to rust and form a stain on the cornea. This can last even after the particle is removed.
A sty is when the oil gland of the eyelid becomes inflamed. It may develop into an infection with a small pocket of pus (an abscess). This can cause pain, redness, and swelling.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a result of a broken blood vessel in the white portion of the eye. It is usually painless and is not serious.
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. This can be caused by injury to the eye or disease somewhere else in the body. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and floating spots in the vision.
Learn about caring for a child or an adult with uvulitis.
Learn about fluorescein angiography, an eye test that lets your healthcare provider examine the back of your eyes.
An evaluation helps your eye healthcare provider learn more about your vision problems.
Most often, seeing a few flashes and floaters is normal. Some people may notice them for a while after eye surgery. Most flashes and floaters need no treatment. But sometimes they can be signs of a serious eye problem.
If you have vision loss from macular degeneration, you can continue many of the activities you do now. Vision aids can help you with tasks that need detailed vision. Keep monitoring your vision and call your eye healthcare provider if you notice any changes.
Red eyes aren't caused only by viral and bacterial infections. Allergies and environmental irritants are often to blame. Here's a look at these 2 common causes of eye inflammation, and how to treat them.
Like any operation, small-incision cataract surgery needs preparation.
Your healthcare provider will let you know what you should and shouldn't do once you get home. You may need to wear eye protection the first day.
After cataract surgery, it is important to have regular eye exams. This is the best way to check the health of your eyes. It will help you maintain good vision.
A stye is a common problem in children. It's an infection that appears as a red bump or swelling near the rim of the upper or lower eyelid.
This video shows how to use eye drops.
Many people have trouble getting eye drops into their eyes. It can be kind of tricky. But with some practice, it isn't really hard to do. Let's learn how.
This surgery is used to remove a cataract. During the procedure, the cloudy lens in your eye is replaced with an artificial lens that will let you see clearly. This procedure is sometimes called "no-needle, no-stitch" cataract surgery. It's quick, painless, and you can go home the same day.
This surgery is used to remove a cataract. During the procedure, the cloudy lens in your eye is replaced with an artificial lens that will let you see clearly. This procedure is quick, painless, and you can go home the same day.
This surgery corrects cloudy vision. It replaces a layer of damaged cells in the front of your eye with healthy tissue from a donor.
This procedure uses a laser to treat the inside of your eye. It can shrink or destroy abnormal tissues and blood vessels. It can also create tiny spots of scar tissue to repair a detached retina.
This procedure repairs a damaged cornea. The cornea is the clear, outer surface of the eye that lets light enter the pupil. During this surgery, a portion of your damaged cornea is replaced with healthy corneal tissue taken from a donor.
This is a treatment for a detached retina. That's the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue in the back of your eye. With this procedure, a bubble of air or gas pushes your retina back into place.
This surgery removes the jelly in the back of the eye. We call it the "vitreous humor." It may need to be removed because it's cloudy, or to let your surgeon fix a problem with your retina.
A surgeon removed the cloudy lens in your eye and replaced it with a clear manmade lens. Here's what you can expect after surgery, along with tips for a healthy recovery.
The cornea is very sensitive and may hurt for another 1 to 2 days after a particle is removed.
Treatment can prevent or limit vision loss from glaucoma. The goal of treatment is to control glaucoma by lowering eye pressure. Medicines and procedures may also help.
Depending on your retinal damage, your eye care provider may use one or more procedures to treat the problem. Some treatments can be done in your eye care provider's office. Others need surgery in a hospital or surgery center.
Find out how a YAG laser uses fast, tiny bursts of energy to improve your vision during a capsulotomy.
YAG capsulotomy is a quick, painless outpatient procedure. Here's what you can expect.
A helpful, step-by-step guide to putting in eye drops safely.
Most eye infections are caused by viruses or bacteria. Many can spread from person to person. Learn about the symptoms of viral and bacterial eye infections, and also how to treat them.
Artificial tears are the most common treatment for dry eyes. If they don't ease your symptoms, your eye care provider may put in plugs. Or they may advise surgery to stop the draining and increase the tear film.
Left untreated, uveitis can lead to vision loss. It's important to seek medical help right away.
Helpful tips on treating blepharitis with a warm compress and washing the area gently with an eyelid scrub.
Your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or an ointment. These will help ease redness, swelling, and irritation. Your eye doctor will also need to check your eyes following treatment.
Contact lenses can correct presbyopia. They focus the image back onto the retina. This way, you can see an object clearly. There are 2 kinds of contacts you can choose from.
Using vision aids can help you do the things you need and want to do. There are many kinds of vision aids. You can buy them at low-vision centers. Some eye healthcare providers also sell these aids.
You may be surprised by how little time small-incision cataract surgery takes.
Once your old lens has been removed, your surgeon slips the new lens (IOL or intraocular lens) in through the incision. The IOL is then placed in the capsule that held your old lens.
Cataract surgery involves removing the cataract and replacing the lens. Here are the two most common ways that cataracts are removed.
Take a closer look at how a new lens is implanted after cataract surgery.
Refractive surgery can improve your eyesight, but it does have some risks.
LASIK is laser surgery that helps reshape your cornea. It can help you see better without glasses or corrective lenses.
PRK is surgery to help you see better without glasses or corrective lenses.
Phakic intraocular lenses (PIOLs) can help you see better without glasses or corrective lenses. Here's what you can expect.
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes don't line up in the same direction. One eye may turn in, up, or down, while the other eye looks straight ahead. If not treated, it can lead to another eye problem.
Your child's eye doctor may recommend strabismus surgery to help align your child's eyes. This is a safe, common procedure. Read on to learn more about the surgery, and what to expect before and after it's done.
In most cases of amblyopia, the brain ignores signals coming from one eye. Over time, the brain gets used to working only with the other eye. So amblyopia must be treated as soon as possible.
Corneal ring implantation is a surgery to put in a small ring of plastic into the cornea. It is done to fix an eyesight problem and let you see more clearly.
Corneal transplantation is a surgery to replace a cornea that has problems.
A dacryocystorhinostomy is a type of surgery. It's done to make a new tear duct between your eyes and nose.
Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure to correct a detached retina. It helps to bring back vision. It uses a special tool to repair the retina, and a small bubble of gas to hold the retina in place so it can heal.
Scleral buckling surgery is a type of eye surgery. It's done to correct a detached retina. It can restore vision.
Trabeculectomy is a type of eye surgery done in the front part of the eye. It's done to treat glaucoma by draining some fluid from the eye. If you have glaucoma, fluid can drain too slowly. This can cause the pressure in your eye to increase. This then increases pressure on the optic nerve. This surgery helps to lower pressure inside the eye.
A vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery to treat problems with the retina and vitreous.
Trabeculectomy is a type of eye surgery done in the front part of the eye. It's done to treat glaucoma by draining some fluid from the eye. This helps to lower pressure inside the eye.
A vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery to treat problems with the retina and vitreous. During the surgery, your eye healthcare provider removes the vitreous and replaces it with another solution.
Aniridia means lack of an iris. It is a rare disorder in which the iris of the eye is partly or completely missing. Here are details on treatments and complications.
Color blindness is when you can't see some colors in a normal way. Read on for details about treatment, and helpful tips on living with this condition.
Computer vision syndrome is a group of eye problems. These problems are due to a lot of computer use. Treatment is done by making changes in your use of your computer screen.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on your cornea. Treatment may include medicine to treat the infection, as well as medicine to ease pain and swelling.
Herpes eye disease is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. Learn about treatment, prevention, and possible complications.
Iritis is the inflammation of the iris. It causes pain, sensitivity to light, and other problems.
Laser photocoagulation uses a laser to seal off abnormal blood vessels in your eye. Laser photocoagulation can't restore eyesight that you already have lost. But it may slow down the damage to your central vision.
A pterygium is a type of growth on the eye that is not cancer. It is most often only a minor problem unless it causes changes in your eyesight. Pterygia (the plural form of the word) are fairly common in sunny climates and in people who do outdoor work.
Photodynamic therapy is a treatment for the eyes. It uses lasers and a special medicine that works when exposed to a type of light. It is done to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
An eye patch is often used when there has been an injury to the eye. It provides protection from further injury and keeps the eyelid closed. This promotes healing after an injury to the cornea.
