Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology focuses on diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) - Reduced vision in one eye due to abnormal visual development in childhood
- Blepharitis - Chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins causing redness, crusting, and irritation
- Chalazion and Stye (Hordeolum) - Meibomian gland obstruction (chalazion) and bacterial eyelid gland infection (stye); treated with warm compresses, lid hygiene, and incision if needed
- Cataracts - Clouding of the eye's natural lens
- Central Retinal Artery Occlusion - Sudden painless vision loss from blockage of the retina's main blood supply
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - Viral, bacterial, and allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva; highly contagious viral and bacterial forms
- Corneal Dystrophy - Inherited progressive clouding of the cornea leading to vision impairment
- Corneal Ulcer - Open sore on the cornea from infection or injury requiring urgent treatment
- Diabetic Retinopathy - Leading cause of working-age blindness, preventable with annual exams and glucose/BP control
- Dry Eye Disease - Tear-film dysfunction, meibomian gland disease, screen use, artificial tears and anti-inflammatories
- Epiretinal Membrane - Thin scar tissue on the macula causing distorted or blurred central vision
- Glaucoma - Optic nerve damage from elevated intraocular pressure
- Keratoconus - Progressive thinning and cone-shaped bulging of the cornea distorting vision
- Macular Degeneration - Progressive deterioration of central vision
- Optic Neuritis - Inflammation of the optic nerve causing sudden vision loss, often linked to multiple sclerosis
- Nystagmus - Involuntary rhythmic eye movements; congenital (infantile) or acquired (MS, cerebellar, vestibular, drugs); treated with prisms, gabapentin, memantine, or surgery
- Orbital Cellulitis - Serious bacterial infection of the tissue behind the orbital septum requiring urgent care
- Pterygium - Fleshy growth of conjunctival tissue that spreads onto the cornea, linked to UV exposure
- Retinal Detachment - Medical emergency; sudden floaters, flashes, or shadow require same-day evaluation and surgical repair
- Retinal Vein Occlusion - Blockage of retinal veins causing swelling and hemorrhage that impairs vision
- Retinitis Pigmentosa - Inherited degeneration of photoreceptors causing progressive night blindness and tunnel vision
- Scleritis - Inflammation of the white outer coat of the eye; severe deep boring pain; strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease; treated with NSAIDs, steroids, and immunosuppressants
- Stargardt Disease - Inherited macular dystrophy causing central vision loss beginning in childhood or adolescence
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) - Misalignment of the eyes; treated with glasses, patching, vision therapy, and surgery to prevent amblyopia
- Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves' Ophthalmopathy) - Autoimmune orbital inflammation associated with Graves' disease causing proptosis and double vision
- Uveitis - Inflammation of the uvea (iris, ciliary body, choroid); autoimmune and infectious causes, treated with steroids and immunosuppressants
All Ophthalmology Articles A–Z
Every article in this specialty, listed alphabetically.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
- Blepharitis
- Cataracts
- Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
- Chalazion and Stye (Hordeolum)
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Corneal Dystrophy
- Corneal Ulcer
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Dry Eye Disease
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Glaucoma
- Keratoconus
- Nystagmus
- Optic Neuritis
- Orbital Cellulitis
- Pterygium
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Scleritis
- Stargardt Disease
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- Uveitis