Eye Diseases

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyediseases.html

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Some eye problems are minor and fleeting. But some lead to a permanent loss of vision. Common eye problems include

Cataracts - clouded lenses
Glaucoma - damage to the optic nerve from too much pressure in the eye
Retinal disorders - problems with the nerve layer at the back of the eye
Conjunctivitis - an infection also known as pinkeye

Your best defense is to have regular checkups, because eye diseases do not always have symptoms. Early detection and treatment could prevent vision loss. See an eye care professional right away if you have a sudden change in vision or everything looks dim or if you see flashes of light. Other symptoms that need quick attention are pain, double vision, fluid coming from the eye and inflammation.

NIH: National Eye Institute

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Eye Diseases is the National Eye Institute

Start Here

Common Eye Disorders(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Eye Disease Simulations(National Eye Institute)
Also available in Spanish

Overviews

Healthy Eyes(National Eye Institute)
Also available in Spanish

Latest News

Making Eye Donation Easier Could Help Meet Research Demand(07/22/2013, HealthDay)
Disparities in Eye Care Could Cost Some Their Sight(07/18/2013, HealthDay)

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Eye Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Signs of Eye Problems in Adults(Prevent Blindness America)
Vision Symptoms(American Academy of Ophthalmology)

Treatment

Choosing Wisely When It Comes to Eye Care: Punctal Plugs for Dry Eye(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
How to Use Eye Drops Properly(American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
How to Use Eye Ointments and Gels Properly(American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
Living with Uveitis(Prevent Blindness America)
Optic Nerve Decompression(American Rhinologic Society)
Orbital Decompression(American Rhinologic Society)
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Prevention/Screening

Eye Exam(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Get Screened at 40(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Healthy Living, Healthy Vision(Prevent Blindness America)
How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?(Prevent Blindness America)
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Nutrition

Diet and Nutrition(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Also available in Spanish
Diet and Nutrition(American Optometric Association)
Four Fantastic Foods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
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Specific Conditions

Choroideremia(Foundation Fighting Blindness)
Facts about the Cornea and Corneal Disease(National Eye Institute)
Graves' Disease(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
Holmes-Adie Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension(American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Iritis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Kearns-Sayre Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Optic Nerve Disorders(Merck & Co., Inc.)
Optic Neuritis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Optic Neuritis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Pinguecula and Pterygium(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Also available in Spanish
Proptosis(Merck & Co., Inc.)
Septo-Optic Dysplasia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage (Broken Blood Vessel in Eye)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Toxoplasmosis (and the Eye)(American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Uveal Coloboma(National Eye Institute)
Uveitis(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Also available in Spanish
Vision Loss, Sudden(Merck & Co., Inc.)
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Related Issues

Abnormal Head Position(American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Are 3-D Movies Bad for Your Eyes?(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Bell's Palsy(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Also available in Spanish
Charles Bonnet Syndrome(Lighthouse International)
Checklist for Your Eye Doctor Appointment(Prevent Blindness America)
Computers and Your Eyes(Prevent Blindness America)
Dermoid Cyst(American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Eye Coordination(American Optometric Association)
Floaters(Prevent Blindness America)
Hemianopia(Lighthouse International)
Inflammation of the Orbit(Merck & Co., Inc.)
Ocular Hypertension(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Also available in Spanish
Ocular Migraine: When to Seek Help(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
People at Risk for UV Eye Damage(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Red Eye(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Smoking and Eye Health(American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Thyroid Eye Disease: Protruding, Irritated Eyes(American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) - PDF
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