Common eye ailments

■ Amblyopia: When one eye develops good vision while the other does not, the eye with poorer vision is called ‘Amblyopic’.

■ Kerotoconus: This occurs when the normally round cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped.

■ Blepharitis: Blepharitis is an infection the eyelids. It is an inflammation of the lid margins.

■ Macular Degeneration: This is an age-related breakdown of the macula that causes a loss of central vision.

■ Cataract: A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the natural lens of the eye.

■ Monovision: This is a situation where one eye is corrected for distance, and the other eye is corrected for reading.

■ Colour blindness: Colour blindness is a condition in which certain or all colours cannot be distinguished.

■ Ocular migraines: Ocular migraines are visual disturbances in which visual images look grey or have a wavy appearance.

■ Computer vision syndrome: Computers can put stress on the eye causing headaches, blurred vision and eye fatigue.

■ Optic neuritis: Optic neuritis is a vision-impairing inflammation of the optic nerve.

■ Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is characterised by redness, swelling, pain or burning in the eyes.

■ Pterygium: A pterygium is a non-malignant tumour that frequently grows on the nasal side of the eye.

■ Corneal ulcers: A corneal ulcer is an inflammation and infection of the cornea associated with discontinuity of the corneal epithelium.

■ Ptosis: Drooping of eyelids is called Ptosis.

■ Diabetic retinopathy: When diabetes affects the blood vessels in the eye, this is called diabetic retinopathy.

■ Retinal detachment: The separation of the retina from the back wall of the eye is called Retinal Detachment.

■ Diplopia: Diplopia is commonly termed as ‘double vision’.

■ Retinitis pigmentosa: This refers to a group of hereditary disorders which lead to slow but progressive loss of vision.

■ Dry eye syndrome: Dry eye syndrome is the decline of the quality or quantity of tears produced in the eye.

■ Scleritis: The sclera is the outermost white membrane of the eye.

■ Eye allergies: An allergy is an exaggerated reaction to certain substances or ‘allergens’ by susceptible individuals.

■ Strabismus: Strabismus is the medical term relating to a misalignment of the eyes.

■ Floaters and flashing lights: Floaters are small specks or particles floating inside the eye, which may take on a variety of shapes and sizes.

■ Styes and chalazions: A lump that forms on the eyelid may be a stye or a chalazion.

■ Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC): GPC is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the conjunctiva.

■ Trachoma: Trachoma is an infectious, chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

■ Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a symptomatic condition of the eye in which the IOP exceeds the tolerance of the affected eye.

■ Uveitis: Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea.

■ Iritis: It is the inflammation of the iris, the coloured portion of the eye.