Health Article description.A dilated eye exam lets your eye doctor see the back of your eye ( retina). It's usually done as part of a regular eye exam. To do the test, the doctor uses a light and a magnifying tool. Why is a dilated eye exam done? This test is done to look for eye problems and eye diseases. It also can be used to find other...

Health Article description.Amblyopia, commonly called "lazy eye," is an eye condition in which one eye is not used enough for the visual system in the brain to develop properly. If one eye is weak, the brain ignores the images from it and uses only the images from the stronger eye, leading to poor vision in the weak eye. Amblyopia usually affects...

Health Article description.If you are wearing contacts, remove them before you flush your eye. If you can't remove a contact, flush your eye with the contact in place. Flush the eye from the inner corner toward the outer corner. Use large amounts of water. This prevents a substance in the eye from washing into the other eye. Flushing the eye will...

Health Article description.Many eye problems are treated with eyedrops or eye ointments, and sometimes with both. Even though drops and ointments are widely used, many people don't know the best way to put them in. But with a little preparation, you can comfortably and easily put drops or ointment in your eyes. Eyedrops and eye ointments can...

Health Article description.What is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome is a problem involving your tears. Your eyes need tears to stay clean and healthy. Tears are made by glands behind your upper eyelid. Every time you blink, the tears are pushed across your eye, keeping it moist. They flow into tiny openings, called tear ducts, in the inner...

Health Article description.Not having enough tears (dry eye) is caused by a lack of one or more of the substances that make up tears. Dry eyes are common in those who wear contact lenses. Eye diseases, other diseases, and certain medicines can also cause dry eyes. What are the symptoms of dry eyes in people who wear contact lenses? Symptoms of...

Health Article description.Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve at the back of your eye. This can cause vision loss. Although the cause of glaucoma isn't clear, experts think it's often related to a buildup of pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can be easily detected during regular eye exams. It usually responds well to...

Health Article description.The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. In a healthy eye, the conjunctiva is clear and colorless. The sclera is the tough outer layer of the eyeball (the white of the eye). The slight bulge in the sclera at the front of the eye is a clear, thin, dome-shaped tissue called the cornea...

Health Article description.Closed-angle glaucoma (CAG) is an eye disorder in which the colored part of the eye (iris) and the lens block the movement of fluid between the chambers of the eye. Closed-angle glaucoma is also called angle-closure glaucoma. The blockage of fluid causes pressure to build up in the eye. This causes the iris to press on...

Health Article description.What is retinal detachment? Retinal detachment is an eye problem that happens when the retina, a thin membrane of nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye, comes off (detaches). The nerve cells in the retina normally detect light entering the eye and send signals to the brain about what the eye sees. But when the...

Health Article description.Immediately flush the eye with cool water. Fill a sink or dishpan with water. Put your face in the water, then open and close your eyelids to force water to all parts of your eye. You can also flush your eye under a running faucet or shower. You may need to open and close your eyelids with your fingers. Move your eye in...

Health Article description.The shape of the front part of the eye is maintained by a fluid called aqueous humor. Aqueous humor is made by the ciliary body. Strands from the ciliary body support the lens behind the colored part of the eye (iris). Aqueous humor flows into the front of the eye through the pupil. Aqueous humor drains out of the eye...

Health Article description.Amblyopia is a childhood problem that happens when one eye is weaker than the other. The brain chooses to take in images only from the stronger eye. If the weak eye doesn't have to work, it isn't able to develop good vision. This leads to poor vision in the weaker eye. For amblyopia to be treated, your child must use...

Health Article description.What is amblyopia? Amblyopia is a childhood problem that happens when one eye is weaker than the other. The brain chooses to take in images from the stronger eye and ignore images from the weaker eye. This means that your child uses the strong eye more than the weak eye. If the weak eye doesn't have to work, it isn't...

Health Article description.In the treatment of glaucoma, your eye doctor will try to keep your eye pressure ( intraocular pressure, or IOP) from rising above a certain level. That level of pressure is called your target pressure. Maintaining the target pressure in your eyes can reduce the risk of optic nerve damage. It may help slow the...

Health Article description.The following tips can help you keep your eyes healthy and your vision as clear as possible. Get routine eye exams from an eye doctor. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of eye problems. See your doctor right away if you have problems with your eyes or vision. Keep your eyeglass or contact lens prescription...