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Close-up of human eye. Fiery-colored light reflected around the black pupil. Long eyelashes extending from the upper eyelid.

Conditions Eyes

Good vision depends on the lens, retina, optic nerve, and brain all successfully working together. Visual disorders such as short- and long-sightedness, which can usually be corrected with spectacles, are extremely common. Eye disorders range from mild conjunctivitis to serious disorders such as glaucoma (“green star”).

Eyes

Age-related macular degeneration: man having his eyes examined by an optician. Age-related macular degeneration: man having his eyes examined by an optician.

Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) intensifies the natural deterioration of the eyesight as people age. More about origin, symptoms, and treatment of this eye disease.

Presbyopia: older man examining glasses which he is holding in his hands. Presbyopia: older man examining glasses which he is holding in his hands.

Presbyopia

Most people in their mid-forties begin to experience presbyopia, i.e., a loss of near vision. Presbyopia cannot be reversed but treatment compensates effectively for the symptoms.

Glaucoma: doctor looking into a patient’s eye through a retinoscope. Glaucoma: doctor looking into a patient’s eye through a retinoscope.

Glaucoma

Eye diseases like glaucoma can occur as we get older. The disease is also known as green star. Potential sight loss can be stopped if identified early.

Close-up of a human eye. Numerous fine blood vessels are visible on the eyeball. Close-up of a human eye. Numerous fine blood vessels are visible on the eyeball.

Small foreign bodies in the eye

A small foreign body can quickly get into an eye. Sometimes the cornea of the eye is damaged in the process. A superficial injury usually heals within a short time.

Stye on an eyelid. Stye on an eyelid.

Styes and chalazia (eyelid inflammation)

Styes and chalazia: what is eyelid inflammation and how does it progress? Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Cataract: older woman with grayish blue eyes looking into the distance. Cataract: older woman with grayish blue eyes looking into the distance.

Cataract (gray star)

A cataract gradually turns the lens of the eye cloudy. The person's sight then becomes increasingly blurred, as if looking through a veil or fog. In the long term, only an operation will help.

Close-up of a human eye. Fine blood vessels are visible on the lens. Close-up of a human eye. Fine blood vessels are visible on the lens.

Conjunctivitis

Typical signs of conjunctivitis are eyelids that stick together and an itching and burning sensation in the eyes. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria, but can also have other causes.

An older woman holds a finger to her eye, as though examining herself in the mirror. An older woman holds a finger to her eye, as though examining herself in the mirror.

Surfer’s eye (pterygium)

A pterygium (surfer’s eye) is a growth of tissue on the conjunctiva of the eye. It is often visible as a patch or area of cloudy white in the corner of the eye next to the nose.

A boy sits in front of a slit lamp having his eyes tested. A boy sits in front of a slit lamp having his eyes tested.

Lazy eye in children

Lazy eye (amblyopia) is a common visual defect in children. One eye sends the brain an image that is more blurred than the other. This prevents children’s eyesight from developing properly.

A doctor uses a slit lamp to examine a man’s eye A doctor uses a slit lamp to examine a man’s eye

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is an emergency that requires rapid treatment. Find more information here about symptoms, outlook, and treatment.

A woman has taken off her glasses and is rubbing her eyes. A laptop is sitting next to her. A woman has taken off her glasses and is rubbing her eyes. A laptop is sitting next to her.

Dry eye

Dry eye often causes soreness and burning sensations, as well as redness and swollen eyelids. The symptoms usually respond well to treatment.

A boy is holding his hand up to a white wall. The rainbow colors of refracted sunlight are reflected on his hand. A boy is holding his hand up to a white wall. The rainbow colors of refracted sunlight are reflected on his hand.

Color blindness

The term “color blindness” is used to describe various conditions that involve an inability to distinguish certain colors or any colors at all.

Runny eye of an elderly person Runny eye of an elderly person

Lacrimal duct diseases

Lacrimal duct diseases may affect the lacrimal glands and the draining tear ducts. Read more about lacrimal duct obstruction and lacrimal gland inflammation here.

Blurred face of a woman who appears dazed. She is wearing glasses in the foreground that are in sharp focus. Blurred face of a woman who appears dazed. She is wearing glasses in the foreground that are in sharp focus.

Keratoconus

With keratoconus, the cornea of the eye becomes increasingly distorted and vision deteriorates. Different treatment options are available, depending on the stage.

A woman sits behind a measuring device for a sight test. A woman sits behind a measuring device for a sight test.

Short-sightedness

People with short-sightedness (also called near-sightedness or myopia) have blurred, unclear vision of objects in the distance. Short-sightedness can be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Older woman being examined with a doctor holding her eyelid and shining a measuring instrument into her eye. Older woman being examined with a doctor holding her eyelid and shining a measuring instrument into her eye.

Corneal ulcer

A corneal ulcer involves damage to parts of the cornea. It often heals after the causes have been treated – but scars may remain on the cornea.

Optician or ophthalmologist positioning a girl’s trial frames ready for a sight test. An older man is standing next to her smiling. Optician or ophthalmologist positioning a girl’s trial frames ready for a sight test. An older man is standing next to her smiling.

Corneal irregularity (astigmatism)

With astigmatism, the image on the retina is blurred. Spectacles, contact lenses or an operation can correct this sight defect.