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...

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...

Ophthalmoscopy (also called fundoscopy) is a test that lets a doctor see inside the back of the eye, which is called the fundus. The doctor can also see other structures in the eye. The doctor uses a magnifying tool called an ophthalmoscope and a light source to see inside the eye. The test is done as part of an eye...

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...

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...

During direct ophthalmoscopy, a doctor looks at each of your eyes using a viewing instrument containing a light (ophthalmoscope). The doctor can see the back of your eye with the ophthalmoscope and will look for eye damage or diseases.

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...

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in eye care. Ophthalmology is a surgical subspecialty. Ophthalmologists are licensed by state medical boards to practice medicine and are usually board-certified in ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists are certified to: Diagnose and treat all forms of eye disease...

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems, diseases, and injuries. Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma; prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses; treat eye injuries; and perform eye surgeries, such as...

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...

Vitrectomy is a surgery to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye. It may be done when there is a retinal detachment or if blood in the vitreous gel (vitreous hemorrhage) does not clear on its own. Removing the vitreous gel gives your eye doctor better access to the back of the eye. This surgery is done by...

The day after surgery to remove a cataract, you will most likely be allowed to return to your normal activities. But you need to take certain precautions. Use eyedrops as prescribed by your doctor. Wash your hands before putting drops in your eye. Be careful not to touch your eye with your hands or the tip of the...

For this test, you are seated on an exam table. The doctor may ask you to look at their nose the whole time the test is done. The doctor first turns your head to one side and then lowers your head to the table. The doctor watches your eyes for nystagmus. Nystagmus is a rapid, rhythmic movement of the eyes. If you get...

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...

Briefly discusses eye problems, including watery eyes, drainage, eyelid problems and problems related to health conditions. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

All children need routine vision checks and eye exams with their pediatrician or family doctor. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommend that all children have an eye exam during the newborn period and again at all routine well-child visits. The U.S. Preventive...

Scleral buckling surgery is a common way to treat retinal detachment. It is a method of closing breaks and flattening the retina. A scleral buckle is a piece of silicone sponge, rubber, or semi-hard plastic that your eye doctor ( ophthalmologist) places on the outside of the eye (the sclera, or the white of the eye)...

Gonioscopy is an eye examination to look at the front part of your eye (anterior chamber) between the cornea and the iris. Gonioscopy is a painless examination to see whether the area where fluid drains out of your eye (called the drainage angle) is open or closed. It is often done during a regular eye examination...

If you know that you are not at risk for eye disease and you don't have signs of vision problems, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a complete eye exam to check for eye disease and vision problems: Every 5 to 10 years if you are younger than 40. Every 2 to 4 years if you are age 40 to 54. (Starting at age...

Target intraocular pressure is the level of pressure inside the eyes that a doctor sets for a person who has glaucoma or high eye pressure. The target pressure is based on the degree of optic nerve damage, the amount of visual field loss, and, to a lesser degree, the initial pressure in the eye and how widely it varies...

A chemical burn can be caused by alkaline or acid products, metals, and hydrocarbons, such as gas. If you wear contacts, remove them before flushing your eye. If you can't remove a contact, flush the eye with the contact in place. Many workplaces have eye wash stations for burns to the eye. Know where they are and how...

If you are using both eyedrops and eye ointment, put the eyedrops in at least 10 minutes before the ointment. If you have an eye infection, don't wear contact lenses while you are using the ointment, unless your doctor has told you it's okay. Using a mirror may make it easier to see what you are doing. Here are the...