PATIENT EDUCATION 

A problem with your retina is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It occurs when a section of the retina known as the macula is damaged. 

You lose your central vision when you have AMD. Fine details are impossible to see whether you are looking at something close or far away. However, your peripheral (side) vision will remain normal. Consider the following scenario: you are looking at a clock with hands. With AMD, you may see the numbers on the clock but not the hands.

AMD is extremely common. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and up.

Amblyopia occurs when one or both eyes' vision does not develop normally during childhood. It is also known as lazy eye. Amblyopia is a common condition in infants and young children.

In the first few years of life, a child's vision develops. Amblyopia should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. A child with amblyopia will not develop normal, healthy vision if this is not done.

Astigmatism is a deviation in the curvature of the cornea or lens of your eye. To understand astigmatism, imagine the normal eye as being evenly rounded, like a basketball. Astigmatism causes the eye to be egg- or oval-shaped, similar to an American football. Astigmatism can be classified into two types:

• Vertical astigmatism (when the eye is taller than it is wide)
• Horizontal astigmatism (when the eye is wider than it is tall) 

With either type of astigmatism, near and far vision is blurry because of the eye’s irregular shape.

The inflammation of the eyelids is known as blepharitis. They may appear red or swollen, or they may feel burning or sore. Flakes or oily particles (crusts) may also be wrapped around the base of your eyelashes. Blepharitis is very common, particularly in people with oily skin, dandruff, or rosacea.

Blood is carried throughout your body by arteries and veins, including your eyes. The retina of the eye has one main artery and one main vein. Branch retinal vein occlusion occurs when branches of the retinal vein become blocked (BRVO).

When a vein becomes blocked, blood and fluid leak into the retina. This fluid can cause the macula to swell, affecting your central vision. Without blood circulation, nerve cells in the eye can die, causing further vision loss.

Pink eye (also known as conjunctivitis) occurs when the conjunctiva is irritated due to an infection or allergies. Your eyes are red and swollen (inflamed), with a sticky discharge from time to time. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. Some types of pink eye are very contagious (easily spread from person to person). 

Diabetes causes diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye disease. Diabetes can have an impact on your eye care, making regular eye exams even more important. Vision loss can be caused by damaged blood vessels as well as abnormal new ones.

Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye disease. When blood sugar levels are high, blood vessels in the retina are damaged. These blood vessels have the potential to swell and leak. They can also close, preventing blood from passing through. On the retina, abnormal new blood vessels can form. All of these changes have the potential to obstruct your vision.

Tears are necessary for the health and comfort of our eyes. Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears. Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce the proper type of tears or tear film.

Floaters appear in your field of vision as small specks, dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs. They appear to be in front of your eyes, but they are actually floating inside. Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells within the vitreous (the fluid that fills your eye). What you see are the shadows these clumps cast on your retina.

Floaters are usually visible when looking at something plain, such as a blank wall or a blue sky.

Our vitreous begins to thicken or shrink as we age. In the vitreous, clumps or strands can form. A posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous pulls away from the back of the eye.

Floaters are more common with posterior vitreous detachment, but they can occur without one as well. They are not serious, and they gradually fade and become less noticeable. Surgery can remove severe floaters, but it is risky and rarely necessary or recommended.

Nearsightedness is a common problem with eye focusing. It has been steadily increasing for several decades. Nearsightedness is expected to affect nearly half of the world's population by 2050.

There are two types of myopia: high myopia and low myopia. Low myopia refers to mild nearsightedness (generally less than 3 diopters of myopia). 3 to 6 diopters of myopia is considered moderate nearsightedness or myopia. Severe nearsightedness (myopia of more than 6 diopters) is also known as high myopia. Nearsighted children typically become more nearsighted as they grow older, but their glasses prescription typically stabilizes in their twenties.

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eyes' ability to see things clearly up close. It is a natural part of the aging process. Indeed, the term "presbyopia" is derived from a Greek word that means "old eye." Presbyopia may become apparent after the age of 40. You will most likely find yourself holding reading materials further away in order to see them clearly.

When the retina lifts away from the back of the eye, it is said to be detached. When the retina becomes detached, vision becomes blurry. A detached retina is a serious condition. You should see an ophthalmologist right away, or you may lose sight in that eye.

Strabismus (crossed eyes) is a common vision problem in children. It occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned and point in different directions (misaligned). One eye may be fixed on the road ahead, while the other turns in, out, up, or down. Misalignment can progress from one eye to the other.