Eye Diseases & Conditions

Find the information you’re looking for by reading through our comprehensive articles on eye diseases and conditions.

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Amblyopia

Lazy Eye (or amblyopia) is a very common condition. Usually present early in childhood, lazy eye can be corrected if caught early. Learn what you can do to correct this eye condition before it becomes severe.

Aniridia

The term aniridia means, literally, “without iris.” Some unfortunate people are born missing part or all of the iris, the colored part of the eye. This uncommon condition, also known as iris hypoplasia, occurs in one out of every 50,000 to 100,000 infants born worldwide (although incidence varies from one region to another). Aniridia is […]

Aphakia

Aphakia is a condition where the lens of the eye is missing. It can greatly decrease your vision acuity and cause other problems if not treated.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs because the cornea is shaped more like a football than a baseball. This curvature causes two images to appear on the retina and causes blurry vision from any distance. Read on to learn more.

Baggy Eyes

Blepharochalasis or Dermatochalasis can be the cause of severe "baggy eyes". Read more to learn about symptoms, causes and treatment for these two conditions.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a very common eye disorder that involves the inflammation of the eyelashes and eyelid rims. Find out if you or someone you know is suffering from this non-contagious condition.

Blindness

According to the World Health Organization, there are over 39 million people in the world who live with blindness, and another 246 million who suffer from low vision. The WHO defines blindness as a visual field of less than ten degrees, or less than 20/500 vision in one’s better eye. The American Medical Association’s definition […]

Bulging Eyes

Known by numerous names, the bulging out of ones eyes can be due to genetics or an underlying condition. Learn more about bulging eyes, causes and treatments for this condition.

Cataracts

A clouding of the lens that increases with age and other factors but with treatments widely available.

Chalazion

A chalazion is a small cyst on the eyelid—usually smaller than a pea—caused by blockage of the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands are tiny glands on the edge of the eyelid that produce oil to lubricate the eye. When these glands are blocked, oil builds up inside the gland, producing a little bump called a chalazion.

Choroideremia

Choroideremia (also known as choroidal sclerosis or progressive tapetochoroidal dystrophy) is a genetic condition that causes affected persons to slowly lose their vision. It affects males almost exclusively, and symptoms usually begin to appear during childhood. Most people who suffer from choroideremia lose their vision completely by the time they are middle-aged. Choroideremia is rare, […]

Coats' disease

Coats’ disease, also known as exudative retinitis, is a rare congenital condition (meaning that one is born with it) that causes tiny blood vessels called capillaries to develop abnormally in the retina.

Coloboma

Coloboma is an abnormality in the eye's iris. Read on to learn about its symptoms, which diseases contribute to it, how it is managed, and more.

Color Blindness

Color Blindness, or Color Vision Deficiency, is an eye condition where a person is not able to distinguish certain colors or shades of colors to some degree.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer vision syndrome can cause mild to severe pain. Learn what you can do to relieve the problem.

Corneal Dystrophy

Even though corneal dystrophy is a rare condition, it can still affect a wide range of people.

Corneal Ulcer

A guide to help you understand the severity of a corneal ulcers and the problems they can cause in the future if left untreated.

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis is inflammation of the retina caused by viral infection. CMV is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Keep reading to learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms and treatment.

Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation or infection of the lacrimal sac that occurs when the lacrimal drainage system is obstructed and bacteria infects the sac. The lacrimal sac is part of the system that connects the eyes to the nasal cavity in order to drain tears away from the surface of the eye. Dacryocystitis causes unilateral […]

Diabetic Retinopathy

A common problem for people with diabetes where retinal blood vessels break down and affect vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eyes is a condition caused when the eyes produce insufficient tears.

Dry Eyelids

Having dry skin or dry eyes are one thing, but having dry eyelids can be annoying, embarrassing and sometimes painful. Learn what causes your eyelids to become dry, how to treat the problem and how to prevent it from happening again.

Duane Syndrome

Duane Syndrome is a rare disease that limits the eye muscles from moving inward, outward, or in both directions.

Entropion

Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid folds inward, causing the skin on eyelashes to rub against the conjunctiva (the surface of the eye) and the cornea.

Esotropia

Esotropia is a convergent form of strabismus in which one or both eyes turn inward toward the nose. Also known as "crossed eyes," it is most common in young children. Keep reading to learn more about its causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment.

Exotropia

Wall-eyes, or exotropia, can be a very serious condition. If you have symptoms of this condition, see what you can do to prevent them from worsening.

Eye Infections

Eye Infections are caused by bacterial, viral, or other agents like chemicals.

Eye Stye

Styes are bacterial infections that lead to the obstruction of oil producing glands around the eyelashes or eyelids.

Eyelid Infection

Cellulitis is a type of infection. Eyelid cellulitis is much more serious, as it can spread easily and possibly cause permanent damage to ones vision or eyesight. Learn more about the types of eyelid cellulitis.

Eyelild Cyst

There are many types of eyelid cysts one can contract. Learn about all the different types of cysts that can appear on your eyelids. Also learn what causes them and how to treat them.

Fuchs' Dystrophy

Fuchs’ dystrophy is a form of corneal dystrophy that tends to strike people in their fifties and sixties (although early signs can sometimes be seen in patients as young as 30) and affects women three times more often than men. Fuchs’ dystrophy is bilateral—i.e., it affects both eyes—and is caused by the loss of cells […]

Glaucoma

Vision loss due to damaged optic nerves that can not be restored and is usually unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.

Horner’s Syndrome

Horner’s Syndrome, also known as Bernard-Horner syndrome or oculosympathetic palsy, is a condition that affects the sympathetic nervous system. It causes a triad of ptosis, (the upper eyelid begins to droop on one side of the face), miosis (the pupil constricts, making it smaller than the pupil of the other eye), and anhydrosis (a lack […]

Hyperopia

Hyperopia is a refractive error caused by an eyeball that is shorter than normal. This causes the image to focus behind the retina rather that on it.

Hypertropia

Hypertropia is a form of strabismus in which one eye turns upward, putting it out of alignment with the other eye. Other types of strabismus include esotropia (one or both eyes turn inward), exotropia (one or both eyes turn outward), and hypotropia (one or both eyes turn downward). Hypertropia may be constant, with the eye […]

Iritis

Learn about this incredible condition that causes inflammation in your iris (the colored part of your eye) and how it can change your life if left untreated.

Keratitis

Keratitis is a relatively common inflammation of the cornea. This inflammation could be caused by a bacteria, injury to the eye or dry eyes.

Keratoconus

This slow progressing disease may take decades to recognize. Learn more about early symptoms to watch for, causes, diagnostic testing, treatment options and more.

Lagophthalmos

How long can you keep your eyes open without blinking? Fifteen seconds? Maybe thirty? After that, you can feel your eyes begin to dry out, and the urge to close them becomes overwhelming. Some people are unable to close their eyelids completely, however; these people suffer from a condition known aslagophthalmos. What Is Causing My Lagophthalmos? […]

Low Vision

Low vision is the permanent loss of visual acuity or perception due to eye diseases or eye injuries.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration often damages central vision and is prevalent in people age 60 and over with rare cases of people under 50. Read on to learn what you can do to treat this disease.

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a neurological disorder that often affects the eyes. Eye conditions associated with ocular myasthenia gravis include diplopia (double vision) and ptosis (eyelid droop). While medical therapy is often used to treat generalized myasthenia gravis, it is not clear whether medications are effective in treating ocular symptoms. Other measures, such as eyeglasses with […]

Myopia

Myopia is a refractive error where the eyeball is longer than normal. This causes the image to focus in front of the retina rather that on it.

Ocular Migraine

An ocular migraine is a type of migraine headache that is associated with visual disturbances in one eye. This type of migraine is not common, and is often diagnosed after other possible causes for the symptoms are ruled out.

Ophthalmoparesis and Ophthalmoplegia

The terms ophthalmoparesis and ophthalmoplegia refer to two similar yet distinct conditions affecting the muscles that control how the eyes move. Ophthalmoparesis refers to a weakening of these eye muscles (the Greek suffix paresis is used medically to refer to weakness), whereas ophthalmoplegia refers to paralysis. Ophthalmoparesis may progresses to ophthalmoplegia, depending on the disease […]

Optic Neuritis

Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of optic neuritis.

Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a common and often contagious eye ailment. Learn which kinds are contagious and which ones are not.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a progressive eye condition that happens to everyone later in life. People with presbyopia have a hard time focusing up close.

Ptosis

Droopy Eyelids, known to doctors as ptosis, is a common condition among all ages. Though many people don't notice a drooping eyelid until they're older, the condition can be hereditary and may begin in early childhood. Corrective surgery may be necessary to correct the problem before it worsens.

Retinal Detachment

A condition in which the retina detaches and moves from its proper position.

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion is a condition of the eye that may cause eye pain and partial or total vision loss. These symptoms are caused by a blockage in the retinal vein. Find out more about causes and treatment.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Although this eye disease is common among families, it’s not always related to hereditary factors. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment options, complications and more of RP.

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare form of eye cancer that is typically diagnosed in small children, often under the age of two, and usually under the age of five.

Strabismus

There are many variations of strabismus, and adults who develop this condition are urged to seek treatment before permanent eye damage occurs. Learn more about the symptoms, risk factors, causes, treatment options, and more.

Surfer's Eye (Pterygium)

The term Surfer’s Eye (also known as pterygium or pinguecula) refers to a benign but sometimes cosmetically undesirable growth on the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of tissue on the eye.

Sympathetic Ophthalmia

In very rare cases following a unilateral eye injury, a condition called sympathetic ophthalmia can develop. This condition presents itself as a form of uveitis (eye inflammation), and it occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks first the injured eye and then the healthy one. At the time when sympathetic ophthalmia was first documented […]

Trachoma

Trachoma can be treated. If developed, do not wait for treatment. Learn why here.

Uveitis

Uveitis can affect almost anyone ranging from children to those in their 50's. Learn more about what you can do to treat this condition that can lead to blindness.

Xanthelasma

A xanthelasma is a yellowish deposit of fat and cholesterol found under the skin that’s around or on the eyelids. Xanthelasmata are not harmful, nor do they cause any pain, but most people do not care for the appearance of these yellow growths around the eyes and elect to have them removed. Xanthelasma is a […]