Your Eye is an Intricate Structure that efficiently performs many tasks: it receives and transmits thousands of visual messages per minute, automatically adjusts to changing light conditions, focuses incoming light, and produces its own fluids for lubrication, cleansing, and fighting off infection. Healthy eyes perceive the world both centrally and peripherally. Your central vision lets you see the person entering a door to your right, without turning your head. Moreover, though each eye sees separately, both eyes together produce "binocular" vision - that is, the brain perceives a single image, thus giving you three-dimensional depth perception and a coherent picture of your surroundings.

Nevertheless, for most of us this miraculous system has its flaws: 90% of us wear corrective lenses after age 49. In addition, eyes are subject to injury, sun damage, infection, and other problems. A sudden onset of pinkeye or a sty can ruin your day. And many people, for many reasons, suffer from dry eyes. Conditions such as glaucoma, if not treated, can threaten your vision.

Eye Openers A list of some common eye problems. Some you can deal with yourself: time and patience will heal them. Others qualify as genuine medical emergencies. Any change in vision, particularly a sudden change, requires immediate attention

Condition	Comments	Treatment
Dry Eyes	Discomfort from insufficient tear production or certain eyelid abnormalities. Overflowing tears, ironically, are often a response to underlying dryness. May be a side effect of diuretics, anti-depressants, antihistamines, and other drugs; may also be-associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Postmenopausal women are often susceptible.	Extreme dryness can damage eyes, so get medical advice even in mild cases. Artificial tears (nonprescription eye drops) are often effective; a few people are allergic to the preservatives in them. Avoid hair dryers and smoky or overheated rooms. Eyeglasses can reduce drying caused by wind.
Blepharitis	Scaly, red eyelids, inflamed around the margins. May be accompanied by dandruff.	Apply warm moist compresses for 10 minutes several times a day; wash eyelids with diluted baby shampoo. If it doesn't clear up, consult an eye-care professional, who may prescribe an ointment or drops. Don't rub or scratch your eyelids.
Foreign Bodies	Such debris as eyelashes and specks of grit usually require no medical attention.	Don't rub your eye; pull the upper lid over the lower and roll your eye. If that fails, flush the eye with water. Blowing your nose may help. If discomfort persists or becomes acute, get professional help. Never try to remove a foreign body that appears embedded in the eye, especially in the cornea (in front of the iris).
Sty	Red, painful inflammation (like a small boil) on the eyelid caused by an infection in the eyelash follicle or the oil gland. Should subside in a week or so without medical attention.	Apply warm moist compresses for 10 minutes several times a day. Don't burst, squeeze, or rub it. Rubbing your eyes can spread infection. If sties occur frequently or are slow to heal, see an eye-care professional.
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)	Infection or inflammation of the thin membrane or conjunctiva that covers eyeball and inner eyelid. Highly contagious if caused by bacteria or viruses; not contagious if produced by allergies or irritants. Usually clears up in a week.	To avoid spreading infection to your other eye or to other people, avoid touching or rubbing the eye. Wipe away discharge with moist tissue; separate your towels from family wash. Wash your hands often. Don't use contact lenses or eye make-up. If discharge is severe, redness worsens, eye is very painful, or vision is persistently blurred, get medical help. Antibiotic eye drops should clear up most bacterial infections.
Glaucoma	Chronic open-angle glaucoma is most common: fluid pressure within eye gradually rise, and in time damages the optic nerve, causing vision loss and eventual blindness. Symptom less in early stages; usually affects both eyes. Closed-angle glaucoma, a second type, may come on suddenly. It usually involves only one eye, causing pain, redness, nausea, and haloes - and requires immediate medical attention.	Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Those over 65, people with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, and the nearsighted need more frequent screening. Drugs to reduce eye pressure come as pills or eye drops; these are effective in preserving vision and must be taken for life. Laser and conventional surgical techniques are useful in some cases.
Cataracts	A gradual clouding and hardening of the lens of the eye. Most commonly associated with aging and sun exposure, though can be caused by injury, diabetes, chronic steroid use. Painless, but eventually causes hazy or blurred vision, or sensitivity to light, or the impression of having a film over the eyes.	Requires surgical removal of the lens and replacement with intraocular lenses (implanted in eye), usually performed on outpatient basis. Treatment is safe and 98% effective at improving vision.
Detached Retina	A tear in or dislocation of the eye's back layer of light-sensitive cells and nerve endings. Commonly caused by a shrinking of the vitreous (gel inside the eye) as you age, or by a severe blow. Diabetes and severe nearsightedness are risk factors. Symptoms: dramatic onset of floaters and flashers; sudden wavy, watery quality in vision; or loss of central vision. May also seem like shade over the eye.	Seek treatment immediately; may cause blindness. Go to ophthalmologist or nearest emergency room. Many treatments are now available, including laser or surgical repair, which can successfully correct early retinal detachments in 90% of cases
Macular Degeneration	Major cause of severe vision problems in older people. Symptoms include decreased acuity, loss or distortion of central vision, and blind spots. Cause is not known, though aging and heredity are factors. Sun exposure may also play a role.	No cure, but vision loss may be slowed by early treatment, including supplements containing zinc and antioxidants. "Dry" form is more common; "wet" form is more severe and characterized by increased blood vessel formation and hemorrhages. Laser surgery may help some people.

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