Vision

Top Vision Problems

Vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (trouble reading up close) are generally pretty innocuous and easily handled with eyeglasses, contact lenses and even surgery. Other eye conditions, however, are much more serious and harder to treat. Some can even lead to blindness.

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Glaucoma

Eye exams always include a glaucoma test because glaucoma, a disease in which the optic nerve becomes damaged due to pressure inside the eye, often has no symptoms in the early stages. As it progresses, however, it can lead to a slow loss of vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

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Macular Degeneration

The most common cause of age-related vision loss, macular degeneration, results from damage to the retina. Because this damage is often due to easy-to-avoid habits, especially smoking and sun exposure, making simple lifestyle changes can help prevent it.

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Cataracts

The No. 1 cause of blindness in the world, cataracts -- in which the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy (like a steamed-over mirror) and hard to see through -- can be treated if diagnosed early. Treatment can range from glasses with a strong prescription to surgery.

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Diabetic Eye Disease

If you have diabetes, you're at risk for serious vision problems, including diabetic retinopathy (leaky blood vessels in the retina), glaucoma and cataracts. Learn what to watch for and how diabetic eye disease is treated.

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Amblyopia ("Lazy Eye")

When the brain and the eyes don't work well together, the result can be amblyopia, or "lazy eye," in which one eye works harder to see than the other. There are a variety of potential causes of amblyopia, including strabismus (crossed eyes). It's most common in young children and can be treated with glasses, drops, surgery or a combination.

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Floaters

Black dots in your line of vision are known as floaters and are common with aging. Caused by thickening of the vitreous gel inside the eye, floaters are more of an inconvenience than a serious problem.

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Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina's ability to respond to light. If an ophthalmologist suspects that a patient has RP, he or she may confirm a diagnosis by performing an electroretinogram (ERG). This test measures the function of the retina. There's no cure for RP, but there are ways to manage it, ranging from supplements of vitamin A to calcium channel blockers.