Articles

Herpes simplex is a virus that can infect your skin, nerves and tissue. If it infects your eyes, they become red, sore and sensitive to light. Vision can become blurry. The herpes virus cannot be cured, but herpes simplex eye symptoms must be treated right away. You may be prescribed antiviral eye drops

Histoplasmosis is a disease you can get when you breathe infected airborne spores into your lungs. It enters the air when people disturb soil when plowing fields, sweeping chicken coops, or digging holes. Once it travels to the eye it can cause a serious eye disease called ocular histoplasmosis syndrome

A hyphema is when blood collects inside the front of the eye. Hyphema is usually caused by an injury to the eye. Sometimes, though, it can be caused by other problems. Hyphema signs and symptoms include bleeding in the front of the eye, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and blurry, clouded or blocked vision.

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a clear, artificial lens for the eye. It replaces your eye’s cloudy natural lens when you have cataract surgery. There are different kinds of IOLs. A monofocal IOL is usually set for clear distance vision, with eyeglasses needed for reading or close work. Multifocal and

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is when pressure in your head rises, causing vision problems and headaches. This high pressure comes from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that does not flow out of the brain as it should. The pressure affects the eye’s optic disc and nerve, eventually causing vision

Interferon medicines work by boosting your immune system. They fight things like viruses, bacteria and cancer, and can be used to treat other diseases as well. Interferon medicine can cause retinopathy. Retinopathy is a disease of the retina that can lead to vision loss. In most cases, retinopathy due

Intermediate uveitis is inflammation of the uvea in the middle of the eye. You are more likely to get intermediate uveitis if you have had certain diseases or infections. Symptoms include blurry vision and floaters. This is a serious condition that must be treated immediately to save vision. Treatment

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (ICE) causes movement and loss of corneal cells. Loss of these cells can cause corneal swelling, and the iris and pupil can become distorted. When the corneal cells move, they can block fluid from draining properly. This blockage causes pressure in the eye to build,

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is when blood does not flow properly to your eye’s optic nerve. When the optic nerve does not get enough oxygen or nutrition, the nerve is damaged and you lose vision, usually permanently. If blood flow to your optic nerve is reduced, your vision will darken for a few

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an inflammatory disease that affects children under the age of 16. With JIA, joints become red, swollen, tender, and painful. Some children with JIA also get uveitis, which is inflammation of the eyes. Uveitis can cause vision loss if it’s not found and treated

Juvenile macular dystrophy is a group of inherited eye disorders. It affects children and young adults. It passes from parent to child. The most common form of juvenile macular degeneration is Stargardt disease. Other types include Best’s disease and juvenile retinoschisis. Juvenile macular dystrophy

With keratoconus, the cornea thins and bulges out like a cone, affecting vision. Keratoconus treatment depends on your symptoms. With mild symptoms, eyeglasses can correct your vision. With more severe symptoms, there are other treatment options that can include hard contact lenses, medication or surgery.

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery. With this outpatient procedure, a laser is used to reshape your cornea, improving how light rays are focused in the eye. LASIK is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. It cannot correct presbyopia, the normal loss of

A laser is an intense beam of light. In surgery, one type of laser can be used to create heat energy, and another can be used to cut or sculpt. Ophthalmologists often use lasers in surgery to treat certain eye problems, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, refractive errors,

Laser iridotomy is a type of surgery to treat and prevent angle-closure glaucoma. This form of glaucoma is when your iris blocks fluid (called aqueous) from leaving the front of the eye as it should. Pressure in the eye rises and the optic nerve is damaged. Laser iridotomy helps fluid drain properly