The retina is a layer of cells located at the rear of the eye that takes light rays that enter the eye and changes them into visual impulses. This layer of cells can be affected by several conditions that can impact the vision of the patient. Many...
Glaucoma is a disease characterized by high pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. Acute closed angle glaucoma is one subtype of this disease which occurs suddenly, over a period of minutes to hours. The eye becomes red and very...
The precise cause of cataracts is unknown, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. They may be age-related, as the majority of cataracts develop in those over age 55. However, they do occasionally occur in young children and even...
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to people through the bites of anopheles mosquitoes. The World Health Organization states that, in 2008, there were 247 million cases of malaria resulting in nearly 1 million deaths,...
A detached retina is a medical emergency requiring examination and treatment by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. The retina is the layer of cells at the back of the eye that contains the cells that transmit visual information to the brain....
People with dry eyes experience an uncomfortable and scratchy sensation in their eyes; this condition is caused by a lack of moisture in the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic. In severe classes, dry eyes can be associated with a loss of vision....
As defined by the UK organization Retinal Surgery, vitreoretinal surgery is a surgical procedure for the treatment of problems of the eye involving the retina, macula, and vitreous humor. The retina is the part of the eye where light signals are...
Vitamin E helps to rid your body of the by-products of metabolism. Low vitamin E levels usually occur when your body is not absorbing vitamin E from the foods you eat. Having low vitamin E can put you at risk for nerve damage such as...
Beetroot, also known as table beet, red beet, garden beet or simply beet, is a plant commonly added to salads. You can also boil beetroot or eat it raw and shredded. Beetroot has several claimed health benefits including detoxification,...
The retina, a layer of nerves, lines the back of the eye and plays a vital role in vision. The retina can detach or pull away from the back of the eye, causing permanent vision loss if left untreated. Although the symptoms of a retinal detachment...
Each year, over 23 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as 5.7 million more have the disease but are unaware that they do. Often called a silent killer, people can have diabetes for...
The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetics are at a higher risk for blindness and other eye problems. Still, diabetic eye disease is manageable and most people only have mild eye complications. Yearly checkups including pupil...
Contacts are dome-shaped pieces of plastic used to correct vision by reshaping the eye. Eyes mold to fit the shape of the contact, thereby correcting the way light rays converge on the retina. To know how a contact works one must first understand...
Vision loss is one of the worst fears that many people harbor. However, it doesn't have to be the end of the world, since many blind people live full and exciting lives. If you begin to have eyesight problems, you can get yourself ready by...
Some effects of diabetes may seem harmless or unrelated to the disease and the condition can go undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association. Early detection of diabetes remains essential to avoid complications that make it harder...
Diabetes, a leading cause of vision loss, damages blood vessels throughout the body, including the eye. Types of damage done can vary, depending on how long a person has had diabetes and how good their blood glucose control is. The longer a person...
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that is extracted from the dried leaves of young ginkgo trees and used as a nutritional supplement. Cayenne is a shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical climates, and its hollow berries are consumed both as a food and...
The human eye grows very little from birth to adulthood, but even small errors in its proportion can cause vision problems. Vision involves both the ability of the eye to capture images and the ability of the brain to process the signals that the...
The things you put into your body intentionally or unintentionally can positively or negatively impact your health. Products available without prescription promise to improve your health and quality of life. Many are not regulated by the federal...
Most people will experience some eye trouble at one time or another. Eyes can be tired, dry, bloodshot, infected or itchy, to name a few conditions. Call or see an eye-care professional for any of these problems that last more than a day or two. ...
Visual disorders are the result of an interruption of the processing of images through the cornea to the retina and optic nerve and then to the brain for interpretation. Congenital defects, injury and age affect the ability to see clearly. Eye...
Different teams of scientists have been investigating whether there is a connection between eye disease and protein. Research has determined that proteins are associated with a diabetic eye disease, associated with macular degeneration, with...
Mitochondria have the important job of changing the nutrients within a cell into energy. Yet, it has only been 10 years since mitochondrial diseases have gained importance, according to Gregory Barsh, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics and...
Eye floaters can be a highly annoying visual disturbance. Most of the time, a few floaters in your line of vision aren't harmful, but occasionally floaters, especially if they're large, numerous and develop suddenly, can be a sign of a problem in...
MedlinePlus says night blindness refers to a condition in which people have trouble seeing in dim settings and at night. Sometimes, an underlying medical condition or a lack of certain vitamins can lead to night blindness. Some causes of night...
Jane Hamilton, sixty-eight years old, sat on her front porch steps admiring the pot of purple petunias. Since it had been a while since she checked her eyes, Jane covered her left eye and was pleased that the petunias were as beautiful as ever....
Your body makes its own cholesterol, which it needs to function properly; however, cholesterol is also found in many foods. If you consume excess cholesterol, this waxy substance may build up in your arteries, narrowing them and putting you at...
An inversion table is a fitness device that is often used to reduce spinal pressure and aid back pain. These tables allow users to position their feet above the head, either at an angle or in a fully vertical position. While many people believe in...
