Uncommon Eye Diseases

The eye is a complex organ having several structures that are prone to disease, including the cornea, retina and macula. If one or more of these structures deteriorate, vision obstruction or loss may result.

• Corneal Reflection

Eye Herpes

• Eye or ocular herpes is a chronic infection that causes scarring and inflammation of the corneal surface, the internal layers of the cornea, or inflammation of the iris and surrounding tissues. Treatment includes eye drops, anti-viral medication, scraping away the infection, surgical removal of the infected tissue or corneal transplant.

Keratoconus

• Keratoconus occurs when the cornea, which is round in shape, begins to thin, changing into a cone. Treatment includes glasses, contact lenses, corneal inserts, corneal cross-linking surgery or corneal transplant.

Stargardt's Disease

• Stargardt's disease is a genetic condition in which the light-sensitive cells on the retina deteriorate, causing central vision loss. There is no cure, but treatment targets slowing the progressive loss of vision through sunglasses and UV-filtered contact lenses.

Fuchs' Dystrophy

• Fuchs' dystrophy is a genetic condition, occurring when the cornea retains fluid, causing blurry vision and, eventually, blisters on the cornea. Treatment is a cornea transplant.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic condition in which the rods are damaged over a period of time, causing poor night vision, peripheral vision loss and, eventually, central vision loss. Treatment includes slowing the progression through sunglasses.