Anterior uveitis is an inflammation of the iris (colored part of the eye) and adjacent tissue, known as the ciliary body. It can occur as a result of trauma to the eye, such as a blow or foreign body penetrating the eye. It can also be a complication of other eye disease, or it may be associated with general health problems.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a chronic or long term inflammation of the eyelids and eyelashes. It affects people of all ages. Among the most common causes of blepharitis are poor eyelid hygiene; excessive oil produced by the glands in the eyelid; a bacterial infection (often staphylococcal); or an allergic reaction.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of all or part of the normally clear lens within your eye, which results in blurred or distorted vision. Cataracts are most often found in persons over age 55, but they are also occasionally found in younger people.

A chemical change occurs within your eye to cause the lens to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age, heredity or an injury or disease. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, cigarette smoking or the use of certain medications are also risk factors for the development of cataracts.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent layer that lines the inner eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use and store sugar and can cause many health problems. One, called diabetic retinopathy, can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish your eye's retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of the eye. These blood vessels may begin to leak, swell or develop brush-like branches.

The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision, or they may produce no visual symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, you may notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters.

Early treatment is important because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent. It is important to have your eyes examined regularly by your doctor of optometry. This is especially true if you are a diabetic or if you have a family history of diabetes.

Dry Eye

The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that you produce tears which do not have the proper chemical composition. There are other reasons for dry eyes, but often, it is part of the natural aging process.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause peripheral vision loss. Late stages of glaucoma will also have central vision loss. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, and those who are very nearsighted or diabetic are at a higher risk of developing the disease. The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is the complex of eye and vision-related problems associated with computer use. The primary symptoms are eyestrain, blurred vision, dry and irritated eyes, tired eyes, and headaches. Neck and backaches can also be related to the way that we use our eyes at the computer.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a vision disorder that occurs when the normally round cornea (the front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular (cone) shaped. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and causes distortion of vision.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration results from changes to the macula, a portion of the retina that is responsible for clear, sharp vision and is located at the back of the eye. Causes are hereditary and/or environmental. Central vision that is lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored. However, low vision devices can be prescribed to make the most out of remaining vision.

Ocular Hypertension

Ocular hypertension is an increase in the pressure in your eyes that is above the range considered normal with no detectable changes in vision or damage to the structure of your eyes. Ocular hypertension has no noticeable symptoms. The term is used to distinguish people with elevated pressure from those with glaucoma, a serious eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. There is an increased risk of glaucoma among those with ocular hypertension.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited diseases that damage the light-sensitive rods and cones located in the retina, the back part of our eyes. Rods, which provide side (peripheral) and night vision are affected more than the cones which provide color and clear central vision.

Usually during childhood or adolescence, the first sign is often night blindness followed by a slow but progressive loss of side vision.

Also, there are many new low vision aids that are available that help people maximize the vision that they have remaining.