Eye infections and Diseases

The Facts

Eye problems can include eye infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, and eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.

 

Eye Infections

Eye infections can affect one eye or both, and can affect different parts of the eye. The most common eye infection is conjunctivitis caused by an adenovirus (a type of common cold virus). This type of infectious conjunctivitis is sometimes called pinkeye and is most common in children. Other types of eye infections include conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, blepharitis (infection of the eyelid, including styes), and corneal ulcers.

 

Eye Diseases

Two of the most common eye diseases are cataracts and glaucoma.

Cataracts are a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing a gradual loss of vision that may eventually lead to blindness. The clouding process can almost always be reversed with surgery.

Glaucoma, on the other hand, is an eye disease caused by excess fluid pressure in the eyeball that leads to damage of the optic nerve cells. It is the second leading cause of blindness, behind diabetes. Glaucoma is usually treated with medications or laser surgery.

 

Read more about eye infections and eye diseases by clicking the links below.