CausesTop Causes of Eye Problems

Most people have had an eye problem. Some are minor and go away on their own, or are treatable at home. Others need expert care.

What Are Ocular Surface Diseases?

If your eyes are dry and itchy, there could be many causes. But chronic dry eyes could be caused by an ocular surface disease.

Eye Problems: What to Expect as You Age

Your eyes change as you age. Some problems become more common as you get older, although they can affect anyone at any age.

What Is a Carotid-Cavernous Fistula?

Carotid cavernous fistula is a condition that affects your eye. It can come on suddenly after a head injury or slowly over time.

What Is Photophobia?

If you have photophobia, you are very sensitive to light. The sun or bright indoor light can be uncomfortable, even painful.

What Is Snow Blindness?

Snow blindness is temporary eye pain and discomfort after exposure to too much UV light. It’s like a sunburn on your eyes.

What Are Eye Freckles?

A freckle in your eye might seem odd, but they’re actually common and usually harmless.

What Is Scleritis?

When The white part of your eye (called the sclera) is inflamed and hurts, doctors call that condition scleritis.

Eye Pain: What Are the Causes?

Nearly everyone has had sore eyes. Sometimes they get better on their own, but pain can also be a sign of something serious.

Why Are My Eyes Red?

Red eyes happen when the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the whites of your eyes expand and turn pink or reddish.

Eye Twitching: How To Stop It

An eye twitch is an eye muscle or eyelid spasm that you can't control. Twitching is common and often not a cause for concern.

What’s Irritating My Eyes?

Dry weather and other things can wreak havoc on your eyes. Here are some things that might bug your eyes, plus ways to fix them.

Excessive Blinking: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments

Excessive blinking is when you blink more than normal. It may happen all the time or every once in a while.

Itchy Eyes: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Spring can lead to itchy eyes. So can infection and other conditions. But they usually aren’t a sign of something serious.

What Is Ocular Rosacea?

Rosacea causes redness and acne-like bumps on your face. When it affects your eyes, it's called ocular rosacea.

Is My Eye Infected?

An infection in your eye can show up in many different ways. A lot depends on which part of your eye has the problem.

Why Is There Gunk in My Eye?

Blinking washes away the mucus your eyes make all day long. When you're asleep, you don’t blink that gunk away.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) & Other Conjunctival ProblemsAllergy Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, often called "pink eye," is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults.

Pink Eye: What You Should Know

Pink eye causes redness, itching, pain, burning, discharge, and swelling in and around the eyes.

Understanding Pink Eye -- Symptoms

Symptoms of pink eye vary depending on the type of pink eye you have.

Pink Eye Treatment

Sometimes the symptoms of pink eye go away without medical treatment. You can use home remedies to feel better in the meantime.

What Is Pterygium (Surfer's Eye)?

Though it's named for a certain type of athlete, this common eye growth can affect anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.

What to Know About Pinguecula

If you notice a small, yellow bump on your eyeball, it could be a pinguecula. While not dangerous, it can cause some discomfort.

What Is Conjunctival Chemosis?

The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. Conjunctival chemosis is a swelling of the membrane.

What is Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)?

‌Giant papillary conjunctivitis causes swelling, redness, and irritation in the lining of the membrane inside your eyelids.

Dry EyeTypes of Dry Eye

When your lacrimal gland doesn’t make enough tears, it causes dry eye. Another name for this type is keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

What Is Aqueous Tear-Deficient Dry Eye?

If your glands don't produce enough tears, you can get a condition called aqueous tear-deficient dry eye.

What to Know About Evaporative Dry Eye

Are your eyelids swollen and your eyes dry and itchy? Is it worse in the morning? You might have evaporative dry eye.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Sometimes, there's a lack of balance in your tear-flow system. Or your AC, heater, or other things could dry out your tear film.

Dry Eyes and Allergies: What to Know

There are many reasons you can have dry eyes. Allergies are one possible explanation.

Dry Eye After LASIK

Dry eye is the most common complication for LASIK. About 95% of people report dry eye symptoms just after the procedure.

Exposure Keratitis and Dry Eye

If your eyelids don't shut completely while you sleep, part of your eye is exposed to the air. That can lead to dry eye.

Dry Eyes With Immune Disorders

Many things can cause your eyes to feel dry, gritty, and sore. Dry eyes can also be related to immune system conditions.

Dry Eyes and Thyroid Disorders

Dry eyes can be related to problems with your thyroid gland. Sometimes they may be the first sign of a thyroid disease.

Dry Eye and Inflammation

Inflammation can contribute to dry eyes. In turn, dry eyes can make eye inflammation worse.

Dry Eye and Skin Problems

There are several skin conditions that can cause dry eye or make it worse.

When Dry Eyes May Not Be a Medical Problem

Dry eyes can be caused by allergies, medications, certain medical conditions, hormones, and, yes, age.

Is Your Medication Causing Dry Eye?

Medications lead to dry eye in many ways. They can cut the number of tears you make or change the mix of ingredients in them.

Dry Eye and Screen Use

Nearly 60% of Americans use a digital device for at least 5 hours a day. That screen time can cause dryness and eye irritation.

Smoking and Dry Eye

Smoking is a common trigger for dry eye. You can try to prevent the problem. Or you can treat your symptoms when they happen.

Caffeine and Dry Eye

Some people with dry eye swear off coffee and tea, assuming they make the problem worse. But some research suggests the opposite.

Dry Eye and Hormones

If you're bothered by dry eye, it's possible your hormones are to blame.

Climate, Environment and Dry Eye

Your environment can trigger dry eye disease or make it worse. Luckily, you may be able to make changes to ease the discomfort.

Are You Making Your Dry Eyes Worse?

You can do a lot to help your dry eyes feel better. But you could be doing things that aren't helping and not even know it.

Dry Eye: When to See a Doctor

No matter why you have dry eye, it’s good to know when to touch base with your doctor to get the treatment you need.

Eye Exam: What to Expect

If you’re dealing with dry eye symptoms, an eye doctor can help you figure out what's causing them and how to treat them.

The Importance of Treating Dry Eye

If left untreated over the long term, dry eye may lead to complications like infection, inflammation, and scarred corneas.

Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment

Although no cure exists for dry eye syndrome, many treatments are available.

How Do Punctal Plugs Work?

If your dry eyes itch, burn, or sting, punctal plugs may be just the thing to relieve your symptoms.

Do You Use the Right Eye Drops for Your Dry Eyes?

You use different types of drops to treat different problems, like allergies vs. dry eyes. The wrong drops may worsen symptoms.

Tips for Relief From Dry Eye

Dry eye is more than just uncomfortable. It can hurt your vision. Treatments and some simple actions can bring relief to sore eyes.

Home Remedies for Dry Eyes: What Works?

There are steps you can take to ease the scratchy, irritating symptoms of dry eyes. Try these home remedies to find relief.

Can Changing My Diet Help My Dry Eye?

If you’re looking to boost your eye health and help your dry eye symptoms, focus on these key nutrients.

Managing Dry Eyes During Summer Months

Summer is usually great for dry eyes. But there are a few things that can dry your eyes out during the warmer months.

Dry Eye in the Office

People with desk jobs have routines and workspaces that make it more likely for them to have dry eye.

Makeup Tips for Dry Eye

When you have dry eyes, your eyes may sting, itch, or water. It makes it hard to wear makeup.

Eyelid ConditionsEyelid Problems: Causes and Fixes

If you’ve noticed something’s different about one or both of your eyelids, it’s important to know what to look out for.

Eyelid Problems and Injuries

Not all eye problems involve your eye itself. Sometimes, they start with your eyelid.

What Are Double Eyelids?

Double eyelids is the crease in some people’s top lids and the absence of extra tissue, which creates the appearance of two lids.

What to Know About Eyelid Twitching

Moderate twitching of your eyelids (also known as myokymia) is common and can be caused by several conditions.

Dry Eyelids: Causes and Treatments

There are many reasons for dry eyelids and lots of ways you can treat it.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is inflammation of the oil glands in your eyelids. It’s the most common cause of dry eyes.

Lagophthalmos: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

If you have trouble closing your eyes all the way when you blink or sleep, you may have a condition called lagophthalmos.

What Is Eyelid Ectropion?

Eyelid ectropion occurs when the muscles around your eyelid weaken, causing the lid to turn outward and pull away from your eye.

What Is Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid)?

Do your upper eyelids sag a little or cover your pupil? It could be ptosis, which is a fancy way to say "drooping."

Dealing with a Droopy Eyelid After Botox

Most people don’t have this problem, but around 5% of people who get Botox will have problems with eyelid droop.

What Is Canthoplasty?

Canthoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that reconstructs the eyelid. It’s sometimes referred to as “almond eye” surgery.

Swollen Eyelid

A swollen eyelid happens when fluid collects in the tissues around your eye. You might also have itching or pain.

What Is Periorbital Cellulitis?

Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of your eyelid or the skin around your eyes.

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Meibomian gland dysfunction is common. You get it when there's a problem with a few dozen tiny glands in your eyelids.

Eyelid Bump

Eyelid bumps come in many forms. They don’t usually cause problems, but some can be a sign of a more serious problem.

Chalazion: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A chalazion is a small swelling or lump on your eyelid caused by a blocked gland.

What Is Xanthelasma?

If you notice yellow patches on the inside corners of your eyelids, you might have xanthelasma.

What Is a Stye?

A stye is a pimple or abscess that forms on your upper or lower eyelid.

How to Prevent Styes

If you get a lot of styes, you'll want to get rid of the germs and dead skin cells that bacteria like to feed on.

How to Get Rid of a Stye

Most styes burst or go away on their own after several days. But cleaning it will help bring the pus out.

How to Use Eyelid Scrubs

Eyelid scrubs are gentle cleansers that soothe inflamed eyelids and help treat some eye conditions.

Eyelash ProblemsEyelash Mites: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Eyelash mites are tiny cigar-shaped bugs found in bunches at the base of your eyelashes. They’re normal and usually harmless.

Trichiasis: When Eyelashes Grow Toward the Eye

Sometimes, your eyelashes grow in the wrong direction. This is a common condition called trichiasis.

Double Eyelashes (Distichiasis)

Distichiasis (you might hear it called double eyelashes) is a rare condition where you have two rows of eyelashes.

FloatersEye Floaters: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Eye floaters appear as small spots that drift through your field of vision. They might annoy you, but they shouldn’t interfere with your sight.

Do I Need to Call My Doctor About Floaters?

Floaters come and go and are usually harmless, if annoying. But there are times when floaters could be a sign of a problem.

What to Know About Treatment for Eye Floaters

If your floaters greatly interfere with your vision or daily life, your doctor may recommend a surgery called a vitrectomy.

Tear Duct ProblemsWhat Are Blocked Tear Ducts?

If your eyes are watery and irritated, get them checked to find out whether it’s a blocked tear duct.

Why Is My Tear Duct Blocked?

Blocked tear ducts can happen for different reasons, including the shape of the ducts, an infection -- even your age.

Why Are My Eyes Watery?

Several possible reasons you have watery eyes range from allergies to infections, blocked tear ducts, and funny looking eyelids.

Blocked Tear Duct? What to Expect From Treatment

There are ways to get relief from blocked tear ducts. Opening up the ducts often eases symptoms like tearing, pain, and redness.

Vitreous Humor ProblemsPosterior Vitreous Detachment

If you see dark specks or flashes of light, it's possible you could have posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

What Is a Vitreous Hemorrhage?

The vitreous humor lies between the lens and retina inside your eyes. Bleeding into the vitreous humor is a vitreous hemorrhage.

What Is Asteroid Hyalosis?

Asteroid hyalosis is a condition that causes an accumulation of lipids and calcium in the vitreous humor of the eyeball.

What Is a Vitrectomy?

A virectomy is an operation that removes the vitreous, a jelly-like fluid inside your eye, and replaces it with a saline solution.

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