The human eye has been called the most complex organ in our body. The eye is often compared to a camera. Each gathers light and then transforms that light into a “picture.” Both also have lenses to focus the incoming light. Just as a camera focuses light onto the film to create a picture, the eye focuses light onto a specialized layer of cells, called the retina, to produce an image.
Here are some common disorders of the eye:
Farsightedness (hyperopia) – In this distant objects look clear but close objects appear blurred. This vision problem occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, rather than directly on it. The eyeball of a farsighted person is shorter than normal.
Short sightedness (myopia) – In this close objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred. This vision problem occurs when light rays entering the eye focus in front of retina, rather than directly on it.
Color blindness – Color blindness is the difficulty or inability to distinguish between colors especially red and green. Color blindness occurs when light-sensitive cells in retina fail to respond appropriately to variations in wavelengths of light that enable people to see an array of colors.
Night blindness – People with night blindness experience poor vision at night or in dimly lit environments. Night blindness is due to a disorder of the cells in the retina that are responsible for vision in dim light.
Cataract -Clouding of the lens of the eye leading to fussy or blurry vision. If it persist over a period of time, can lead to blindness. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Glaucoma –It is an eye disorder caused by optic nerve damage caused due to increase in intraocular pressure. If damage to the optic nerve from high eye pressure continues, glaucoma will cause permanent loss of vision.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) – The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis (Pink eye) is defined as the inflammation of the conjunctiva mostly caused by bacterial or viral infection. It is highly contagious disease.
Uveitis – The uvea is the middle layer of the eye. It lies beneath the white part of the eye (the sclera). Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea which can lead to vision loss if left untreated. Possible causes of uveitis are infection, injury, or an autoimmune or inflammatory disease.
Stye – A stye or hordeolum is a small, painful lump on the inside or outside of the eyelid and is usually caused by a staphylococcus bacteria eye infection.
Keratoconus – Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. The changes can result in blurred vision, glare andhalos at night, and the streaking of lights.
Strabismus – Strabismus is a visual problem in which the eyes are not aligned properly and point in different directions, so they do not look at the same object at the same time. The 3 cranial nerves responsible for eye movement can be weak or palsied and cause strabismus.
Blepharitis – Blepharitis commonly occurs when tiny oil glands located near the base of the eyelashes become clogged causing eye irritation, watery eyes, foreign body sensation, sensitivity to light.
Chalazion -Inflammation of the meibomian gland in the eyelid caused by blocked oil glands causing tenderness, swelling of eyelids and sensitivity to light. These glands are located in the eyelid directly behind the eyelashes.
Diabetic retinopathy – It is damage to the retina of the eye caused by diabetes.At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, it can cause blindness.
Dry eye – It is dryness in eyes due to inadequate lubrication either because eyes don’t make enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly & is often known as keratitis.
