Eye Care Glossary
Eye care terminology can sometimes be confusing. Use our comprehensive glossary to understand common eye conditions, treatments, and anatomical terms.
A
Amblyopia
Also known as 'lazy eye', a condition where vision in one eye is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly.
Astigmatism
A common vision condition that causes blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.
C
Cataract
A clouding of the eye's natural lens, leading to a decrease in vision. It is most commonly related to aging.
Conjunctivitis
Often called 'pink eye', an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball.
Cornea
The clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye that helps focus light.
D
Diabetic Retinopathy
A complication of diabetes that affects the eyes by damaging the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).
Dry Eye Syndrome
A condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep the eyes healthy and comfortable.
G
Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often associated with abnormally high pressure in the eye. It is a leading cause of blindness.
H
Hyperopia
Commonly known as farsightedness, a vision condition where distant objects are seen clearly, but close objects do not come into proper focus.
I
Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
The fluid pressure inside the eye. High IOP is a major risk factor for glaucoma.
M
Macular Degeneration
An eye disease that progressively destroys the macula, the central portion of the retina, impairing central vision.
Myopia
Commonly known as nearsightedness, a vision condition where you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry.
O
Optometrist
A healthcare professional licensed to provide primary eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, prescribing glasses and contact lenses, and diagnosing eye conditions.
P
Presbyopia
The gradual loss of your eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects, a natural, often annoying part of aging.
R
Retina
The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye that acts like the film in a camera, capturing images and sending them to the brain.
S
Strabismus
A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object, often referred to as 'crossed eyes'.
V
Visual Acuity
The clarity or sharpness of vision, typically measured using a Snellen chart during an eye exam.
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