Below is a list of the most common ocular conditions. Click on a link to find out more about this condition. If you would like to learn more about these conditions, or about anything related to the eye that is not listed below, please dont hesitate to send an email to the doctor by following the "ask the doctor" link on the main page.

Definitions:
Amaurosis Fugax
Amblyopia
Astigmatism
Blepharitis
Cataract
Corneal Ulcer
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry Eyes
Flashes
Floaters
Foreign Body
Glaucoma
Hyperopia
Iritis
Keratoconus
Keratitis
Macular Degeneration
Myopia
Pink Eye
Presbyopia
Retinal Detachment
Strabismus
Stye

Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax is a short-lived episode of blindness in one eye. The onset of the symptom is sudden. Most people describe the event as a shade or curtain coming over their eye. It is caused by a blockage in the main blood vessel supplying the eye. Blockages are usually due to a blood clot or plaque, which is a small piece of cholesterol that breaks off from a larger artery and travels upward to the brain or eye. Although the visual loss often gradually resolves, one should seek medical attention right away because this can be one of the warning signs of stroke. [Top]

Amblyopia
Also known as Lazy Eye, is an eye condition noted by reduced vision which is not due to eye disease and is not corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Although the amblyopic eye can see, the brain turns off its visual input since the image is blurred. The brain prefers to get information from the stronger eye. Untreated amblyopia may lead to functional blindness in the affected eye. [Top]

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is the most common vision problem that accompanies nearsightedness and farsightedness. It is usually due to an irregular shaped cornea or sometimes an irregular shaped lens. The usual shape of the eye is that of a spherical baseball, an astigmatic eye is shaped more like an oblong football. This causes the light rays entering the eye to focus in two different places causing blurry vision. Astigmatism is easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Astigmatic patients have a prescription with three parts which consists of a sphere, a cylinder and an axis. [Top]

Blepharitis
Blepharitis is the inflammation of eyelids especially around the lid margin. It can be caused by bacterial infections, dandruff and problems with the oil glands in the eyelid. [Top]

Cataract
A cataract is clouding of the normally clear lens in your eye which causes foggy vision. It mostly affects distance vision and is especially bothersome at night while driving since it causes glare. Clouding of the lens is a normal part of aging. In the early stages a higher prescription and stronger lighting can help alleviate the symptoms, but once the cataract progresses surgery may be necessary. Cataract removal is one of the safest, most effective and most common eye surgeries. [Top]

Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer forms when the surface of the cornea is damaged. Some ulcers are sterile which means they are not caused by infecting organisms while some are infectious. Contact lens wearers have an increased risk of ulcers if they don?t follow a strict regimen of cleaning, disinfecting and handling their lenses and case. [Top]

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Patients with diabetic retinopathy, at first may not notice any change in vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic patients can minimize the risk of this disease by closely monitoring their blood sugar levels and by getting routine dilated eye exams. [Top]

Dry Eyes
Dry eyes syndrome is one of the most common problems treated by optometrists. It occurs when there is a problem with the quality of the tear film that lubricates the eye. Dry eyes can be treated with artificial tears or by inserting punctal plugs. [Top]

Flashes
Flashes of light are seen when the vitreous humor inside the eye pulls on the retina. A new onset of flashes or a sudden increase in flashes should be checked for a torn retina by an optometrist. [Top]

Floaters
Floaters are small clumps of the gel in the eye called the vitreous humor. With aging the vitreous humor thickens and clumps together floating in the back of the eye. The shadow they cast on the retina is what is seen as floaters. [Top]

Foreign Body
Any material such as dust, paint or sand that gets in the eye is called a foreign body. Superficial foreign bodies are usually on the front part of the eye while penetrating foreign bodies enter the outer layer of the eye. Superficial foreign bodies can be treated with eye flushes while penetrating foreign bodies need to be treated by the optometrist. [Top]

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease caused by increases intraocular pressure due to a structural or functional change in the drainage structures of the eye. If left untreated, an elevated intraocular pressure causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers resulting in a progressive, permanent loss of vision. However, early detection and treatment can slow, or even halt the progression of the disease. [Top]

Hyperopia
Also known as farsightedness is a common vision problem. People with hyperopia can see distant objects very well but have difficulty in viewing objects at near. Hyperopes squint or are fatigued easily when performing close work. A plus prescription is given to people with hyperopia. [Top]

Iritis
Iritis is the inflammation of the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. It can be a result of diseases like arthritis, tuberculosis or syphilis. A red eye usually occurs with iritis along with smaller pupil size and floaters. Iritis may threaten vision if left untreated. [Top]

Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to thin and bulge into a cone like shape. This shape prevents light from focusing on the macula. As the disease progresses the cone becomes more pronounced causing blurry and distorted vision. Keratoconus is treated with rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP) that create a smooth corneal surface due to their inflexibility. [Top]

Keratitis
Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea, which is a dome-shaped covering on the front of the eye. The symptoms are the same as pink eye (conjunctivitis) with redness, light sensitivity and pain. [Top]

Macular Degeneration
Also called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition of the macula, which is the central retina. AMD is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. This deprives the sensitive retinal tissue of oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and thrive. As a result, the central vision deteriorates. [Top]

Myopia
Also known as nearsightedness is a common vision problem. People with myopia have a hard time seeing distance objects but can see things at near clearly. Nearsighted people may squint or fatigue easily when driving or playing sports. A minus prescription is given to people with myopia. [Top]

Pink Eye
Pink Eye is also called conjunctivitis since it is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye along with the eyelids. The red or pink appearance of the eye is due to inflammation which causes the eye to itch or hurt. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or due to allergies. Pink eye is usually very contagious. Patients should avoid sharing towels, pillow cases and makeup with anyone and should wash their hands frequently. [Top]

Presbyopia
Presbyopia occurs when the lens in the eye can no longer accommodate. At about age 40 the lens becomes less flexible and accommodation is lost. This leads to trouble in performing activities at near. In the beginning holding reading material further away can help alleviate the symptoms, but later on bifocal or progressive lenses may be necessary. Myopes, however can simply take off their glasses to read up close since their near vision is better. [Top]

Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from its? underlying supportive tissue. The retina cannot function if these layers are detached which results in vision loss. Unless it is reattached soon retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss. This is why it is considered an ocular emergency. Symptoms of retinal detachment include flashes of light, floaters, blind spots or the sensation as if a curtain is being across vision. [Top]

Strabismus
Strabismus or tropia is the medical term for conditions like cross-eyed, wandering eye, etc. It is different from lazy eye (amblyopia). Strabismus occurs when the eye turns to fixate on the object of interest. The two common types include esotropia, where the eyes move in and exotropia where the eyes move out. [Top]

Stye
A stye is the inflammation of the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection and is painful. Most styes will drain on their own but it can usually be accelerated with warm compresses to the eye. [Top]