Diseases & Treatments

The uvea is the middle layer (tunic) of the eye. It includes the iris, ciliary body, and the blood vessels that serve the retina. Any infection or inflammation of the uveal tunic is called uveitis. The common forms of uveitis are discussed, with emphasis on uveitis as a condition affecting young peo...

A degenerative disease that affects the central spot (macula) of the retina, which is responsible for central vision. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 60. There are two types: wet and dry. Some people with wet macular degeneration may be helped...

Medical names: meibomian gland lipogranuloma, meibomian cyst, tarsal cyst
Other name: eyelid cyst
Plural form: chalazia

A chalazion is a bump caused by a blocked oil gland duct in the upper or lower eyelid. A combination of home treatments can resolve a chalazion. Homeopathic and surgical inte...

Medical names: external hordeolum, internal hordeolum, meibomian stye
Other names: eyelash stye, eyelid stye

Styes are infections of the glands around the eyelashes and under the upper and lower eyelids that may be associated with stress or eye conditions. Eyelash styes are less painful and clea...

Dry eye is most common eye problem in North America. People with dry eye have burning, gritty or tired eyes. Dry eye occurs when the eye is bathed by not enough or poor-quality tears. Computer users and post-menopausal women are most often affected. Fortunately, this condition is often preventable a...

Other name: RP, pigmentary retinopathy, night-blindness disease

Retinitus pigmentosa is a group of rare diseases affecting the retina. Symptoms progress from poor night vision to loss of peripheral vision and may include blindness in some people. There is no cure for retinitus pigmentosa, but exp...

People with keratoconus develop an irregular, cone-shaped cornea — the clear window that covers the eye's iris and pupil. This change in the cornea's structure blurs vision and makes people more nearsighted over time. Changes usually begin in the late teens and early 20s, then progress for about 10...

Medical name: amblyopia

Infants and children with lazy eye experience a loss or lack of development of vision, usually in one eye. Lazy eye is caused by the physical limitations of the eye and the effect these limitations can have on the nerves leading to the brain. The three types of conditions...

Untreated glaucoma commonly causes vision loss called “tunnel vision” and can lead to blindness. A common cause is high aqueous pressure within the front of the eyes. Glaucoma treatment, to be successful, should start as soon as the pressure and/or vision loss are detected based on careful diagnosis...

Diabetic retinopathy is a retinal blood-vessel disease that affects people with diabetes. It may progress from early to advanced disease. At first, vision is unaffected. In later stages, new blood vessels and fibrous tissue grow on the retina, interfering with sight. If not promptly treated, vision...

As we age, the eye’s lens may become cloudy and changes from crystal blue to dull yellow. The cloudy lens is called a cataract. As the cataract develop, vision becomes blurry and dim, as less light passes into the eye. Cataracts may eventually cause temporary vision loss. In the early stages, low-vi...

Infection or irritation of the conjunctiva is a common ailment. The common causes are infection by bacteria or a virus, allergies, or chemicals accidentally splashed in the eye. Treatment must deal with the cause, and infection requires a period away from community settings and extra cleanliness in...