When you start smoking, you can see some short-term effects such as increased energy, comfort and an overall feeling of relaxation. But after years of smoking, the long-term effects can be detrimental and even fatal. The risk factors for diseases...
According to Martin Sussman, author of "The Program for Better Vision," rigidity and tension in the eye muscles, as well as lack of movement, causes the eyes to change shape. If the eye changes shape by as little as 0.025 inches, focusing...
As technology advances, people spend more time in front of computers, video games and television screens, both for work and recreation. Basic computer skills are taught as early as preschool. This places a lot of strain on your eyes over your...
Nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes in rapid motion, back and forth, up and down and/or in a rotary fashion. Nystagmus is often a symptom of a disease or condition, or a side effect of certain medications. Nystagmus is associated...
Many older adults have a few floaters, those small black spots that pass through your vision, frequently vanishing as fast as they appear. Large floaters may also appear, either alone or with smaller spots, and these large floaters may...
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, reports the Glaucoma Research Foundation. This condition results in slow, progressive damage to your vision, often without any noticeable signs. People with glaucoma may only notice the damage...
Tear film covers the outer surface of the eye, providing nourishment to the tissues that cover the eye. Some people experience dry eye, a condition that results when the eye cannot produce enough tears, or produces tears of a poor quality. Omega-3...
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that results in permanent vision loss. Early symptoms may include blurry vision. You may find it more difficult to read, watch television or recognize the faces of friends and family. As the condition...
Eye infections are also known as conjunctivitis, which means "inflammation of the conjunctiva." The conjunctiva is the thin layer of tissue covering the white of eye (sclera) and the inside of the eyelids. Infectious conjunctivitis can be caused...
You may think of eye injuries as something that happens with dangerous tools or flying debris in the workplace, but according to the University of Utah Health Care, most injuries to the eye occur during the course of regular daily activities not...
Healthy eyes are essential to maintaining good vision. Eyesight is one of the senses we value the most but may think about the least, especially if you do not wear glasses or contact lenses. Eye strain from computer use, damage from UV rays and...
Many people experience problems with dry eye, a condition that may cause your eyes to feel irritated and gritty, as if you have sand or another foreign body in your eye. You may also notice that your eyes appear red and you may have episodes of...
In the United States, the treatment and lost income of the more than 3.4 million adults who suffer from eye disorders has an economic cost of more than $4 billion annually, according to Eye Care America. Some of the eye problems that affect...
Inside your eye sits a lens that helps focus light on your retina, the tissue that lines the inside, back chamber of your eye. As part of the natural aging process, the lens of your eye will begin to harden and turn yellow, a condition called a...
The retina lines the inside of the back chamber of your eye. This tissue is made of cells that transmit visual information to your optic nerve, then to the brain. If the retina detaches from the back of your eye, this will cause a sudden loss of...
The back of the eye has a lining made of light-sensitive tissue called the retina, and the macula sits on one area of this retinal tissue. If the cells of the macula deteriorate, this may begin to destroy the macula, a condition called macular...
Chronic dry eyes often feel tired and uncomfortable. You may feel as if you have a foreign body in your eye, or your vision may blur. Many people use eye drops to treat these symptoms of dry eye, but the drops don't offer a remedy for the...
Many of us spend several hours a day looking at a computer screen, which can lead to eyestrain. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision and dry eyes. The effects of eyestrain can be reduced by keeping your computer monitor an arm's length away...
The cells in your body have a membrane of fat, and this membrane must remain healthy in order for the cells to thrive and function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids may play a significant role in keeping the cell membranes healthy. Your body cannot...
Nystagmus is the rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes in back-and-forth movements, up-and-down movements or rotary directions. The movements can be pendulum-like or jerky in fashion and can happen simultaneously in both eyes or in just a...
The eyes not only provide visual images of the world, but they may also give clues to other health conditions. Eye exams allow eye care professionals to ensure the best possible vision and eye health. If an eye doctor looks in the eye and notes...
After a thorough history and complete physical exam, including checking the abdomen for tenderness and checking for jaundice in your skin or the whites of your eyes, your health care provider may order one or more tests to confirm a suspected...
Manufacturers of inversion tables claim their products can help curb back pain and improve blood flow as well as offering a host of other health benefits. But inversion therapy also has detractors who point out potentially serious health problems...
Contrary to what you may remember from your childhood, keeping your eyes healthy requires more than just eating a carrot a day. Lifestyle changes, dietary changes, routine eye exams and careful monitoring of your health are required for good...
Doctors commonly recommend over-the-counter artificial tears, such as Optive, to help lubricate the eyes. After eye surgery, or as a result of dry eye syndrome, many people experience discomfort or irritation on the surface of the eye. Without...
Dark circles under your eyes can give you a tired look and be a hassle when trying to apply makeup. Causes of dark circles under your eyes can be hereditary, an allergic reaction to dust or pollen or just a lack of sleep. Whatever the cause, you...
Eye problems can not only disrupt normal daily routines, but some can lead to blindness and vision loss, according to the MedlinePlus website. Although eating a proper diet can be beneficial for eye health, adding a few supplements to your diet...
As part of your preventive health care, it's important to schedule regular eye and vision exams. Because some conditions have no obvious symptoms, you may be unaware of problems that can affect your eyesight. Periodic exams can lead to an early...