Eye Conditions

Table of Contents

There are a vast number of eye conditions. Some are quite rare, while others are more prevalent. Some are benign; others are more serious and can even result in vision loss if left untreated.

Immediately below is a list of all of the eye conditions that our doctors can help you with. However, we have gone on to discuss a few of the more common eye conditions seen by eye care professionals on a regular basis.

Blurry Vision

This can have a stunning array of possible causes. However, refractive problems are the most common. A refractive problem means that light isn’t refracting or bending correctly as it enters the eye. There are four primary causes of blurry vision that are correctable with eyeglasses and contact lenses: Astigmatism, presbyopia, myopia, and hyperopia.

Astigmatism means that the cornea isn’t shaped correctly. This causes fuzzy or blurry vision because light entering the eye isn’t focusing on the retina the way it should. Your eye care professional will diagnose the location and severity of your astigmatism and prescribe lenses or contacts to correct it. Many people have some degree of astigmatism, and it doesn’t always require lens correction.

Hyperopia means that someone is far-sighted. They can see well at a distance but not close up. It occurs when light entering the eye falls behind the retina instead of focusing on it.

Myopia means that a person sees well up close, but distance vision is blurry. This happens when light falls short of the retina and lands in front of it. Myopia can be very mild to very severe, with severe forms also carrying risks of other eye conditions like floaters and a detached retina.

Presbyopia causes problems with blurry near vision as a normal part of the aging process and commonly appears in the early forties.

Conjunctivitis

This is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids. Bacteria, viruses, or allergies can cause it.

Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is highly contagious when caused by bacteria or viruses. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Symptoms include a pinky red discoloration of the whites of the eyes and burning, itching, watering eyes with a possible discharge.

Treatment depends upon the cause. You can reduce your risk by not sharing eye makeup, contact lens products, or eye drops with others.

Corneal Abrasions

An abrasion is like a scratch. Corneal abrasions can be serious, and anything touching the eye can cause them. It’s the main reason not to rub your eye when you feel there is something in it.

It’s always best to use saline solution to try and dislodge anything that might be in the eye safely. If this fails, consult your eye care professional immediately. A possible corneal abrasion is always an urgent matter.

Symptoms of a corneal abrasion include watering, squinting, and a sensitivity to light. The condition can be very painful. Treatment consists of the use of antibiotics, special eye drops, and a type of treatment contact lens called a bandage lens.

Dry Eye

This very common condition has too many possible causes to list them all here. However, prevalent causes include the normal aging process, blepharitis, allergies, smoking, and contact lenses.

Dry eyes are a primary reason why people stop wearing contact lenses.

Treatment of dry eye varies depending upon the cause. Special lubricating eye drops and treatment of underlying causes, such as certain autoimmune diseases, are two possible treatments.

Eye Discharge

Some eye discharge is normal and helps to protect the eyes. When you sleep and therefore don’t blink, mucus from the eye can collect in the eyes’ corners. This is sometimes called sleep and is perfectly normal.

However, any eye discharge accompanied by eye pain, sensitivity to light, or blurry vision needs immediate attention by an eye care professional. This is especially true if the discharge is yellow or green. These symptoms could indicate a serious eye infection.

Conjunctivitis and blepharitis, a chronic condition of the eyelids, can both cause eye discharge, as can contact lenses.

Eye Pain

Eye pain can be caused by eye strain from too many hours at the computer or phone screen. Simple rest will usually resolve this. However, eye pain that is sharp, burning, aching, or stinging and especially persistent pain should be evaluated by an eye doctor without delay.

Eye redness, sensitivity to light, a feeling of something in the eye, and blurry vision may also be present. Migraine with or without aura can cause severe pain behind one eye. Sinus infections can cause eye pain as well.

Eye pain may have an apparent cause, such as injury, or it may appear suddenly for no apparent reason. Iritis, pink eye, contact lenses, and dry eye are some other possible causes of eye pain.

Dilated Pupils

The pupil controls the amount of light entering the eye. It will typically constrict in bright light and widen in dim light. The rest of the time, the pupil usually stays more or less a specific size.

Dilated pupils can be caused by acute brain or eye injury, but it’s more typically due to certain medications that can dilate the eye. Illegal recreational drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, and MDMA can also cause dilated pupils.

This is in contrast to the opioids, most of which severely constrict the pupils down to pinpoints.

A peculiar condition called benign episodic unilateral mydriasis can cause one eye to dilate along with eye pain, blurry vision, and headache. It occurs most frequently in young women already prone to migraines.

Sexual attraction can also cause the pupils to dilate in both sexes.

Eye Infections

Symptoms of an eye infection include watery eyes, pain, redness, itching, swelling around the eyes, sensitivity to light, and eye discharge. If you experience these symptoms, see your eye doctor right away.

If you wear contacts, remove them and don’t wear them again until after you’ve received a diagnosis from your eye care professional.

Pink eye is a common cause of eye infections. Contact lens wearers who fail to follow proper lens care and hygiene are at a higher risk for eye infections.

Treatment consists of antibiotic and antiviral eye drops, ointments, and sometimes steroid eye drops to control inflammation.

Puffy Eyes

This occurs when fluids accumulate around the eyes. This can have many causes, including high salt intake, crying, fatigue, stress, aging, dehydration, and sinus problems. Sometimes, a tendency for puffy eyes may be hereditary.

Getting plenty of sleep, placing cold cucumber slices over the eyes, getting more potassium from foods like bananas, staying hydrated, eye drops, and cold compresses may all help alleviate puffy eyes.

Find a Top Eye Doctor Near You

If you have eye problems or want to schedule an annual exam or new eyeglasses or contact lenses, our top-rated doctors are qualified to help you with any eye condition.

We invite all new patients to browse our website and find the best eye doctors in your area. Our professional staff can answer your questions and set an appointment for you with one of our physicians.