American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart

Fireworks and Your Eyes

Remember, fireworks are not toys

Make this 4th of July memorable for the right reasons by protecting your family from potentially blinding fireworks eye injuries.

Keep Your Family Safe This 4th of July

Fireworks: The Blinding Truth

Suzy the Sparkler and Freddie the Firecracker sure are a blast. But is that always a good thing?

Get more fireworks safety information

Sports Eye Safety

Do you have the proper protection?

Some sports require more eye protection than others. Is your family taking the right precautions?

Eye Health in Sports and Recreation

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays

Sunglasses aren’t just for fashion!

UV light from the sun increases the risk of some eye diseases, including cataract, growths and cancer.

Learn how to keep your eyes safe

Losing Sight: Julian’s Story

Costume contacts blind man in one eye

Julian wanted to look different. Now he does after an infection from non-prescription contact lenses cost him his vision.

Learn more

Eye Diseases and Conditions

Learn about eye diseases and conditions, their impact on your vision and treatments.

Eye Diseases A – Z

Got symptoms?

Use this comprehensive list to learn about what is serious, and what isn’t.

Eye symptoms

Our Mission

The EyeSmart® website (at www.geteyesmart.org) provides public education about eye health from the American Academy of Ophthalmology – the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A trusted source for accurate, timely and relevant eye health information, EyeSmart educates the public about risk factors for eye diseases, infections and injuries. The website contains comprehensive ophthalmologist-reviewed information, including videos and interactive vision simulators to help people understand how ophthalmologists can help prevent, diagnose and treat eye conditions.

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415-561-8500
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Activity

American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On May 20

What happens when the carotid artery is blocked?

A narrowing, hardening, or irregularity of the carotid artery can cause a blood clot or accumulation of debris to form in the artery. This is known as carotid artery disease. The debris may break o...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Apr 05

How does Graves' disease affect the eyes?

Graves’ disease can affect your eyes in many different ways. The symptoms may vary from person to person and may fluctuate or clear up suddenly without any treatment. Following are several co...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Feb 25

What is a dilated eye exam?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology now recommends a complete dilated exam by the time you are 40 (if you are not already getting regular eye exams). If you have not had a complete eye exam in th...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Jan 30

How is carotid artery disease treated?

Treatment of carotid artery disease may involve one or more of the following: Blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, to help prevent blood clots Medication to lower blood pressure Surger...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Jan 11

What is laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery?

Laser in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is an outpatient surgical procedure used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. With LASIK, your ophthalmologist (Eye...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 26

Why is it important for people with diabetes to see an eye specialist?

Every individual with diabetes should have an eye exam at least once a year and at any time that they note any unusual symptoms in their vision to reduce risk of permanent vision loss.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 19

What medications help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Certain medications known as alpha-blockers are commonly used to improve urination in men with a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. These alpha-blocker drugs ...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 17

Are all eye doctors the same?

If you injure your eye when doing yard work, you should be examined by a medical eye doctor (ophthalmologist) as soon as possible. Yard injuries can be dirty and contaminated with bacteria as ...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 14

Why should I know about eye floaters?

Floaters are small pieces of vitreous gel or cells shaped like dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs that tend to be more common in adults once they reach middle age. Although it may look like t...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 14

Why should I know about eye floaters?

When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posteri...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 14

What might cause eye complications?

A red lumpy eyelid can be caused by a wide range of things including obstructed oil glands with inflammation, infectious abscesses in the eyelid, skin cancers, and blood vessel abnormalitie...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 14

What might cause eye complications?

The two likely diagnoses that cause these symptoms are dermatitis of the eyelid skin and blepharitis. Itching tends to be an important symptom in dermatitis. More commonly blephari...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 12

How are drooping eyelids treated?

Drooping upper eyelids is a condition called blepharoptosis and can be congenital or acquired. One cannot rule out other conditions so a full ophthalmologic exam is recommended to determi...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Sep 06

When should I use Restasis eye drops?

Dry eyes is usually a chronic condition that tends to remain or get worse over time. Restasis works through suppressing inflammation in the glands that make tears, and this inflammation is believed...
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American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart has answered a question
On Aug 29

What is dry eye syndrome?

Normally, the eye constantly bathes itself in tears. By producing tears at a slow and steady rate, the eye stays moist and comfortable. Sometimes people do not produce enough tears or the appropri...
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