The eye is a highly sensitive organ to light, pressure and other sensations like itching and pain. Since it is exposed to the environment and lacks the protection of skin, apart from the eyelids, the eyes are prone to injury and diseases. Its location and closeness to several other highly sensitive structures may also be a factor to consider when investigating eye pain. In these cases, the pain may not be emanating from the eye or eyeball itself but referred from surrounding areas. Other signs and symptoms, ocular (eye) or non-ocular, may therefore provide a clue to the possible.

continue reading Eye Pain and Painful Eye Socket Causes, Pictures, Other Symptoms

Cataract surgery involves removal of the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Not all cataract cases require surgery. However, surgery is the only effective treatment option in advanced cataract causing problems with routine activities such as driving, reading, cooking, watching television, and so on. Cataract surgery is done on an outpatient basis, usually under local anesthesia, and normally gives yields good results regarding improvement of vision. General anesthesia may occasionally be used and is the preferred option in children. It is a relatively safe surgery but occasional complications may include infection and bleeding. The risk of retinal detachment is slightly increased following cataract surgery.

continue reading Cataract Lens Removal and Replacement Surgery Procedure Guide

The lens of the eye needs to be clear so that light can pass through it uninhibited and cast an image on the back of the eye (retina). Clouding or opacification of the lens of the eye, which is clear under normal circumstances, is known as a cataract. This usually develops over a long time, impairing vision and may ultimately lead to blindness if left untreated. Cataracts are most commonly seen in older people (senile cataracts) but congenital cataracts may be present at birth. The other types of cataracts that may be seen are traumatic cataracts that may occur after an injury to the eye, and secondary cataracts such as those occurring due to a medical condition such as diabetes. Cataracts may develop in one or both eyes.

continue reading Tests to Detect A Cataract and Different Types of Treatment

The path of light through the eye needs to be uninhibited in order to form a clear image on the retina. The light-sensitive receptors then elicit impulses which are sent to the central nervous system for processing. In order to achieve this, the tissues of the eye has several specialized properties to ensure that it is transparent. During it course, light will pass through the cornea, aqueous humor, lens and vitreous humor. As it travels through these substances, it is bent to varying degrees (refraction) to form a focused although inverted image on the retina. If any of these media are tainted, it will distort the sense of vision to varying degrees and particles within the eye may be perceived as a superimposed image.

continue reading Vitreous Floaters in the Eye (Seeing Floating Spots and Objects)

The wall of the eyeball has three main layers – the outer fibrous layer (sclera, cornea), middle vascular and muscular layer (choroid, ciliary body and iris) and the inner neurosensory layer (retina). All three layers adhere to each other and both the outer and inner layers are highly dependent on the rich blood supply of the middle layer for oxygen and nutrients.

The retina is the inner lining of the eyeball which is best known for housing the light-sensitive receptors that are the main functional component of the sense of vision. It is has several layers to allow it to complete its function :

• Inner limiting membrane
• Nerve fiber layer (optic nerve fibers)
• Ganglion cell layer (ganglionic layer)
• Inner plexiform layer
• Inner nuclear layer
• Outer plexiform layer
• Outer nuclear layer
• External limiting membrane
• Layer of rods and cones
• Retinal pigment layer (retinal pigment epithelium ~ RPE)

continue reading Detached Retina – Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment (Surgery)