Please enjoy our eye health glossary.
Accommodation – The ability of the eye to change focus from distant to near objects by adjusting the shape of the lens.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – A condition that affects the macula, causing central vision loss, often in older adults.
Amblyopia – Also known as lazy eye, a vision development disorder where one eye does not achieve normal visual acuity.
Anisocoria – A condition where the pupils of the eyes are unequal in size, which may be harmless or indicate an underlying problem.
Anisometropia – A condition in which the two eyes have significantly different refractive power, leading to issues like double vision or eye strain.
Anterior chamber – The fluid-filled space between the cornea and the iris that helps maintain intraocular pressure and provides nutrients to the eye.
Aqueous humor – A clear fluid that fills the anterior chamber of the eye, providing nutrients and maintaining eye pressure.
Asthenopia – Also known as eye strain, a condition characterized by discomfort, fatigue, or pain in the eyes due to prolonged visual tasks.
Astigmatism – A common refractive error where the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurry or distorted vision.
Binocular vision – The ability of both eyes to work together to create a single, three-dimensional image for depth perception.
Blepharitis – An inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by bacterial infection, dandruff, or clogged oil glands.
Blind spot – The small area in the retina where the optic nerve exits, creating a natural gap in the visual field that the brain compensates for.
Blue light filter – A lens coating or digital screen setting that reduces exposure to blue light, which can contribute to eye strain and sleep disturbances.
Cataract – A clouding of the eye’s lens that leads to blurred or dim vision, commonly occurring with aging.
Central retinal artery occlusion – A blockage in the central retinal artery, leading to sudden, painless vision loss in one eye.
Central retinal vein occlusion – A blockage in the central retinal vein, which can cause vision impairment due to blood leakage in the retina.
Chalazion – A small, painless lump that forms on the eyelid due to a blocked oil gland.
Choroid – The vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the retina.
Ciliary body – A ring-shaped tissue in the eye that produces aqueous humor and helps control the shape of the lens for focusing.
Color blindness – A vision deficiency where the eye has difficulty distinguishing certain colors, often red and green.
Computer vision syndrome – A condition caused by prolonged screen time, leading to symptoms like eye strain, dryness, and headaches. Included in our eye health glossary as a core concept for anyone learning about vision care.
Conjunctiva – The thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids, helping to protect and lubricate the eye.
Conjunctivitis – Commonly known as pink eye, an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva that can cause redness, itching, and discharge. This term stands out as a key inclusion in our detailed eye health glossary.
Cornea – The clear, dome-shaped outer layer of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.
Corneal abrasion – A scratch or injury to the cornea that can cause pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.
Corneal dystrophy – A group of genetic disorders that cause gradual changes or clouding in the cornea, affecting vision.
Cornea ulcer – An open sore on the cornea, often caused by infection, trauma, or dry eye disease.
Diabetic retinopathy – A complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss.
Diplopia – Also known as double vision, a condition where a person sees two images of a single object.
Dry eye syndrome – A condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing discomfort and irritation. A must-know term featured in any comprehensive eye health glossary.
Emmetropia – The term for normal vision, where light is perfectly focused onto the retina without the need for corrective lenses.
Esotropia – A type of strabismus where one or both eyes turn inward, often requiring vision therapy or surgery.
Exophoria – A tendency for one or both eyes to drift outward, especially when tired or focusing on distant objects.
Exotropia – A type of strabismus where one or both eyes turn outward, often noticeable when a person is daydreaming or tired.
Eye Exam – A comprehensive eye exam is a series of tests performed by an eye care professional to assess vision, screen for eye diseases, and evaluate overall eye health. It may include vision tests, eye pressure measurements, and an examination of the retina and optic nerve. This is a cornerstone component in any eye health glossary.
Eye Fatigue – A condition characterized by tired, strained, or uncomfortable eyes, often caused by prolonged screen use, reading, or exposure to bright lights. Symptoms may include dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. And, it’s the name of our website EyeFatigue.com, which is a great place to visit to get an answer to questions like “How long does eye fatigue last?” This entry is a foundational part of our eye health glossary, helping you understand key concepts.
Farsightedness – Also known as hyperopia, a condition where distant objects are seen more clearly than near objects.
Floaters – Small, shadowy specks or strands that appear to drift across the visual field due to debris in the vitreous humor.
Fovea – The small, central area of the retina that provides the sharpest visual detail and color perception.
Glaucoma – A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to high intraocular pressure, potentially leading to blindness. Essential reading in our eye health glossary for anyone looking to better understand eye care terminology.
Hemianopia – Partial vision loss affecting half of the visual field in one or both eyes, often caused by brain injury or stroke.
Hordeolum – Commonly known as a stye, a red, painful lump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland.
Hyperopia – Also known as farsightedness, a refractive error where nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects are clearer.
Hyphema – A collection of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, usually caused by trauma or injury.
Intraocular pressure – The fluid pressure inside the eye, which helps maintain its shape but can lead to glaucoma if too high.
Iris – The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
Keratitis – An inflammation of the cornea, often due to infection, dry eyes, or prolonged contact lens wear.
Keratoconus – A progressive condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, leading to distorted vision.
Lacrimal gland – A gland located above the eye that produces tears to keep the eye moist and free of irritants.
LASIK – A laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Lazy eye – Another term for amblyopia, where vision in one eye is weaker due to improper visual development during childhood.
Macula – The central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision and color perception.
Macular degeneration – A disease that damages the macula, leading to loss of central vision, especially in older adults.
Meibomian glands – Small glands in the eyelids that produce an oil layer for tears, preventing them from evaporating too quickly.
Miosis – Excessive constriction of the pupils, which can be caused by certain medications or neurological conditions.
Monovision – A vision correction strategy where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision.
Myopia – Also known as nearsightedness, a condition where nearby objects appear clear, but distant objects are blurry.
Nearsightedness – The common term for myopia, where objects far away appear blurry.
Nystagmus – A condition characterized by involuntary, repetitive eye movements that can affect vision and balance.
Ocular hypertension – Higher-than-normal intraocular pressure without signs of glaucoma-related optic nerve damage.
Ocular migraine – A migraine that temporarily affects vision, causing blind spots, flashing lights, or visual distortions.
Optic disc – The area where the optic nerve connects to the retina, creating the natural blind spot in vision.
Optic nerve – The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
Ophthalmologist – An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in eye and vision care, performing eye exams, diagnosing and treating eye diseases, prescribing medications, and conducting surgical procedures. A vital term that belongs in any trusted eye health glossary focused on vision and wellness.
Optometrist – An eye care professional who diagnoses and treats vision problems, prescribes glasses, and detects eye diseases. This item stands out as a key inclusion in our detailed eye health glossary.
Photophobia – Sensitivity to light that causes discomfort, often associated with migraines, eye strain, or certain eye conditions.
Presbyopia – Age-related loss of near vision, requiring reading glasses or bifocals.
Retina – The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts images into signals for the brain.
Retinal detachment – A medical emergency where the retina separates from the underlying tissue, causing vision loss if untreated.
Strabismus – A misalignment of the eyes where they do not work together properly, often leading to double vision or lazy eye.
Tear film – The thin layer of moisture that covers the eye, keeping it hydrated and clear.
Vitreous humor – The clear, gel-like substance that fills the eye and helps maintain its shape.
Zoom fatigue – Eye strain and tiredness caused by prolonged video conferencing or screen use.
For more information about eye health, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Eye Health A-Z.
