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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE EYES

Normal Vision Eye Anatomy: Posterior Segment	Eye Anatomy: Anterior Segment
More Information: Diagram of the Eye: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/eyediagram/index.asp How Your Eyes Work: http://aoa.org/x6024.xml The Importance of Regular Eye Exams: http://aoa.org/eye-exams.xml Children’s Vision: http://aoa.org/childrens-vision.xml Protecting Your Eyes: http://aoa.org/eye-protection.xml Ultraviolet Protection: http://aoa.org/uv-protection.xml Sports & Vision: http://aoa.org/sports-vision.xml Contact Lenses: http://aoa.org/contact-lenses.xml Low Vision: http://aoa.org/contact-lenses.xml Classroom Exercises: http://aoa.org/x6022.xml Activity Sheets: http://aoa.org/x6023.xml Reading & Vision: http://aoa.org/x5340.xml Color Deficiency: http://aoa.org/color-deficiency.xml
AMBLYOPIA (lazy eye)	Definition: Decreased vision in an anatomical normal eye. Causes: Refractive: near-sighted, far-sighted, astigmatism Strabismic: eye-turn Occlusion: cataract, droopy eyelid, corneal opacity Symptoms: decreased vision, eye-turn in/out, droopy eyelid, white pupil Treatment: eye glasses, patching, surgery Outcome: Refractive, Strabismic: good Occlusion: poor More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/ http://aoa.org/hyperopia.xml http://aoa.org/strabismus.xml http://aoa.org/eye-coordination.xml
ASTIGMATISM	Definition: Decreased vision due to different curvatures of the cornea and/or lens in different meridians. Causes: hereditary, eyelid pressure on cornea Types: With the Rule:cornea steeper in the vertical meridian Against the Rule: cornea steeper in the horizontal meridian Symptoms: decreased vision, eyestrain, fatigue, headache Treatment: eye glasses, contact lens, refractive surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://aoa.org/astigmatism.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/astigmatism-eyes
BLEPHARITIS	Definition: Inflammation of the eyelid margins. Causes: bacteria, excess sebum production Types: Anterior: eyelid margins and eyelashes Posterior: inner eyelid, oil-producing meibomian glands Symptoms: itching, burning, redness, tearing, crusty debris at eyelashes Treatment: eyelid hygiene (lid scrubs and warm compresses), topical/oral anti-biotics Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/blepharitis/ http://aoa.org/blepharitis.xml
CATARACT Cataract Vision Normal Vision	Definition: Decreased vision due to cloudiness of the crystalline lens. Causes: Ultra-violet exposure, medications, trauma, age Types: Cortical: peripheral of lens Nuclear Sclerosis: center of lens Posterior Subcapsular: back surface of lens Symptoms: decreased vision, color changes, glare, double vision (one-eye) Treatment: cataract surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html http://aoa.org/cataract.xml
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME	Definition: Eyestrain due to excessive use of computer. Causes: Visual Problems: nearsighted, far-sightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia Computer Glare and Reflection: indoor light sources, sunlight Improper Work Station Design: monitor tilting angle, keyboard position, posture Environment: poor air quality, dehydration Symptoms: eyestrain, fatigue, headache, redness, tearing Treatment: computer glasses, anti-glare filter, window blind/shade, ergonomic chair/table, fluid Outcome: good More Information: http://www.aoa.org/x5374.xml http://www.eyefinity.com/consumer/html/consumer_cvs_main.htm?fromvsp=Y
CONJUNCTIVITIS	Definition: Inflammation of the conjunctiva Causes: Allergic: animal, dust/pollens, allergens Bacterial Viral Symptoms: Allergic: itching, burning, redness, tearing, swollen eyelids Bacterial: mucus discharge (eyelids adhesion at awakening), redness, reduced vision Viral: redness, tearing, fever, swollen eyelids Treatment: Allergic: anti-histamine, lubricant eye drops Bacterial: topical anti-biotics, lubricant eye drops Viral: hygiene, lubricant eye drops Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001010.htm http://aoa.org/conjunctivitis.xml
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY	Definition: Decreased vision due to microvascular disease. Causes: Diabetes mellitus Symptoms: decresased and/or fluctuating vision Treatment: oral medications, regular exams, monitor blood glucose level, laser treatments Outcome: depend on severity of disease Mild: good Moderate: fair Severe: poor More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp http://www.aoa.org/x4712.xml
DRY EYE SYNDROME	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect tear film composition. Causes: Ketatoconjunctivitis Sicca (Aqueous Tear Deficiency): systemic diseases (collagen vascular diseases) Inflammatory Disease: Acne Rosacea Vitamin A Deficiency: lack of mucin Symptoms: decresased vision, burning, tearing, redness, photophobia Treatment: Ketatoconjunctivitis Sicca (Aqueous Tear Deficiency): lubricant eye drops/gel, punctal occlusion Inflammatory Disease (Acne Rosacea): oral anti-biotics Vitamin A Deficiency: Vitamin-A supplement Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000426.htm http://aoa.org/dry-eye.xml
FLOATERS AND FLASHES	Definition: Linear streak or circular shape of lights and/or mobile spots/dots in the line of vision. Causes: Posterior Vitreous Detachment: liquifaction of the vitreous gel secondary to age, trauma, surgery Retinal Detachment: separation of the retina from its base secondary to a break/hole, tractional forces, subretinal fluid Symptoms: Flashes: linear streak or dots of lights Floaters: mobile spots of different size, shape, color Treatment: Flashes: dilated fundus exam and/or laser treatment if needed Floaters: observation and monitor Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/floaters/ http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/index.asp http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/retinaldetach/index.asp http://aoa.org/spots-floaters.xml
GLAUCOMA Glaucoma Vision Normal Vision	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect aqueous inflow/outflow rate. Types: Primary Open Angle: imbalance in/out flow rate Acute Angle Closure: narrow anatomical anterior chamber angle Symptoms: Primary Open Angle: none Acute Angle Closure: pain, mid-dilated pupils, halos around light, redness Treatment: Primary Open Angle: anti-glaucomatic medications, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Acute Angle Closure: Laser Peripheral Iridotomy, anti-glaucomatic medications Outcome: depend on severity of disease Mild: good Moderate: fair Severe: poor More Information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma.html http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp http://aoa.org/glaucoma.xml http://aoa.org/ocular-hypertension.xml
HYPEROPIA (far-sightedness)	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect focusing of light rays on the retina. Causes: axial length of eye too short, front curvature of eye too flat Symptoms: decreased near vision Treatment: eye glasses, contact lens, refractive surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://aoa.org/hyperopia.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/farsightedness
KERATOCONUS	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect focusing of light rays on the retina. Causes: cone-shaped deformity of cornea due to thinning of central area Symptoms: decreased vision at all distances, distortion Treatment: eye glasses, contact lens, corneal surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://aoa.org/keratoconus.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-keratoconus
MACULAR DEGENERATION ARMD Vision Normal Vision	Definition: Decreased vision due to abnormal functions of the retinal pigment epithelium. Causes: hereditary, age, smoking, ultraviolet, hypertension, far-sighted, cardiovascular, light iris color Types: Dry (non-exudative): absence of blood on retina Wet (exudative): presence of blood on retina Symptoms: decreased central vision, distortion Treatment: Dry: Amsler Grid, regular eye exams Wet: Amsler Grid, laser treatment, low vision aids Outcome: depend on severity of disease Mild: good Moderate: fair Severe: poor More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp http://aoa.org/macular-degeneration.xml
MYOPIA (near-sightedness)	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect focusing of light rays on the retina. Causes: axial length of eye too long, front curvature of eye too steep Symptoms: decreased distance vision Treatment: eye glasses, contact lens, refractive surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://aoa.org/myopia.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/nearsightedness-myopia
PRESBYOPIA Presbyopia Vision Normal Vision	Definition: Decreased vision due to incorrect focusing of light rays on the retina. Causes: axial length of eye too long, front curvature of eye too steep Symptoms: decreased distance vision Treatment: eye glasses, contact lens, refractive surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://aoa.org/presbyopia.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-presbyopia-eyes
RETINAL DETACHMENT RD Vision Normal Vision	Definition: Decreased vision due to separation of the retinal layers Causes: lattice degeneration, trauma, previous ocular surgery, myopia, vitreous detachment, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy Types: Rhegmatogenous: retinal break, tear, hole Serous/Exudative: fluid accumulation Traction: fibrovascular proliferation Symptoms: flashes, floaters, peripheral vision loss Treatment: Rhegmatogenous: retinal surgery (within 24-48 hours of onset) Serous/Exudative: treat underlying condition Traction: retinal surgery Outcome: good More Information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/retinaldetach/index.asp http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic504.htm http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/index.asp http://aoa.org/spots-floaters.xml http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/Retinal-Detachment-Surgery