Health Article description.One symptom of Lyme disease is a red rash (called erythema migrans). The rash usually starts as a small red area and then expands over several days. The rash occurs at the site of the tick bite and usually gets bigger over time. Sometimes the rash clears in the center, so that it looks like a bull's-eye. About half the...

Health Article description.Refractive error is a condition that causes blurred vision when light rays entering the eye meet in front of or behind the retina rather than directly on it. Normally, light rays are bent (refracted) by the cornea and lens and focus directly on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye, which results in clear...

Health Article description.Retinal imaging uses special cameras and scanners to make magnified images, or pictures, of the back of your eye. This includes the retina. It's the part of the eye that's most responsible for your vision. Common imaging methods include: Color and black-and-white photography. A camera magnifies the back of your eye and...

Health Article description.A tonometry test measures the pressure inside your eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP). This test is used to check for glaucoma, an eye disease that can cause blindness by damaging the nerve in the back of the eye ( optic nerve). Damage to the optic nerve may be caused by a buildup of fluid that does not...

Health Article description.Learn how to clean a minor cut near the eye.

Health Article description.To use eyedrops, tilt your head back, and pull the lower eyelid down with one or two fingers to create a pouch. Gently squeeze the dropper to put a drop in the pouch. Close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drop absorb. If you are putting more than 1 drop in your eye, wait at least 5 minutes between eyedrops. For...

Health Article description.An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan uses light beams to make detailed images of the inside of the eye. This test can find eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. During the test, light beams are focused onto the back of the eye. The test can help find retina or optic nerve problems...

Health Article description.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...

Health Article description.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that causes blurring of your central vision. The blurring happens because of damage to the macula, a small area at the back of the eye. The macula helps you see the fine detail in things that your...

Health Article description.The slit lamp exam uses a tool that provides a magnified, three-dimensional (3-D) view of the parts of the eye. During the exam, your doctor can look at the front parts of the eye. These parts include the clear, outer covering (cornea), the lens, and the colored part (iris). The doctor can also see the front part of the...

Health Article description.Optometrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat many vision problems and diseases of the eye. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but rather a doctor of optometry (OD). Optometrists can perform routine vision testing, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, detect vision problems and eye disease...

Health Article description.Parents are often the first to notice vision problems in a young child. A vision exam may be needed if your child: Is clumsy (beyond normal toddler clumsiness) and fails to notice new things around them. Squints when the light is not bright or scrunches up their face when trying to do a task. Rubs their eyes when the...

Health Article description.Ice and cold packs can reduce the pain, swelling, and bleeding of an injury. Cold therapy is usually used immediately after an injury. For an eye injury, use one of the following methods: Ice towel. Wet a towel with cold water and squeeze it until it is just damp. Fold the towel, place it in a plastic bag, and freeze it...

Health Article description.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.

Health Article description.There are many types of protective eyewear. And the lenses come in a variety of thicknesses. How thick your lenses should be depends on your activities and any eye conditions you have. The lenses in these glasses or goggles should meet national safety standards. Regular glasses usually don't give enough protection...

Health Article description.What is optic neuritis? Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which lies at the back of the eye. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. If it's inflamed, you may have blurred or double vision or even loss of vision. What causes it? Your doctor may not know what caused this problem...

Health Article description.Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes blurry vision and makes it hard to read, drive, and see pictures or faces. It happens because of damage to the macula, the part of the eye that helps you see the fine detail in things that are in front of you. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet...

Health Article description.A cataract is a painless, cloudy area in the lens of your eye. A cataract blocks light from reaching the retina (the nerve layer at the back of the eye) and may cause vision problems. Cataracts are common in older adults and are linked to aging. Smoking and exposure to too much sunlight are other risk factors. Cataracts...

Health Article description.Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited eye disease in which there is a breakdown of the nerve layer (retina) in the back of the eye. It can lead to blindness. Often the first sign of the disorder is an inability to see in low light and darkness (night blindness). Those affected usually develop a ring-shaped blind spot...

Health Article description.Graves' ophthalmopathy, also called thyroid eye disease, is an autoimmune disease that can occur in people with Graves' disease. In Graves' ophthalmopathy, the tissues and muscles behind the eyes become swollen. The eyeballs may stick out farther...

Health Article description.Has info on cataracts, glaucoma, and pinkeye. Also has links to age-related macular degeneration, vision tests, and a cataract surgery decision aid.

Health Article description.Briefly discusses causes of burns, including chemicals, UV light, hot steam, and flash fires. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Floaters are shadows or dark objects that "float" across your field of vision. Floaters may appear as dark specks, strings, or cobwebs that float through the eye. Many people begin to see floaters as they get older and their eyes age. If floaters have been present before, or if they occur with a diagnosed migraine...