Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye):
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, or clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and lining of the eyelids. There are actually 20 different types of conjunctivitis, from fairly common strains that usually pose no long-term danger to you or your child's vision to types that are resistant to antibiotics. Call or see your eye doctor or family physician to treat pinkeye.

Dry Eye Syndrome:
Itching, burning, and irritation of the eyes, sometimes called "dry eye syndrome," is one of the most common problems treated by eye care professionals. It is usually caused by the quality of the tears that lubricate our eyes. As we age, our bodies produce less oil to seal the eyes' watery layer. Hot, arid climates, air conditioning, certain medicines, and irritants such as cigarette smoke can all increase dryness. Your eye care professional might prescribe "artificial tears" or other eye drops to help alleviate the problem.

Floaters and Spots:
Ever notice a small speck moving in your field of vision? It might be what is called a floater, a tiny clump of gel or cells in the fluid inside your eye. Aging, eye injury, and breakdown of the vitreous are the main causes of floaters. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of spots you see, call your eye care professional.

Cataracts:
When we hear the word "cataract" we might think of a film on someone's eyes that causes double or blurred vision. However, a cataract does not form on our eye, but rather within our eye. People with cataracts say it is like looking through water. In fact, the word “cataract” means waterfall.

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of our eye that makes it hard to see. In a normal eye, the crystalline lens is almost transparent and can change shape to focus objects at different distances from the eye. When the lens loses its flexibility and becomes “opaque,” it is called a cataract.

Some types of cataract formation have been linked to overexposure over a long period of time to ultraviolet (UV) light. As people age, they have an increased chance of developing cataracts, but they can often be treated with a safe and simple surgical procedure performed by an ophthalmologist.

Special precautions must be taken after surgery to ensure that the eye is protected from sunlight. It is important to consult with your eye care professional to ensure that the proper protective eyewear is prescribed to you.

Macular Degeneration:
This is a disease you may be hearing more about as the US population ages. It is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in those 65 years of age and older. It is also called AMD or ARMD (age-related macular degeneration). It occurs when the macula degenerates. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive.

Pterygium:
This is a raised growth on the eye that is most often directly related to over-exposure to the sun. Dry, dusty conditions may also be a factor. Protecting your eye from UV radiation is a critical preventive measure.