The Eyes May Have It - Eye Disorders Quiz

Answer: glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that is caused by increased fluid retention inside the eye. The fluid inside the eye is called aqueous humor. In glaucoma, the aqueous humor is prevented from draining properly, causing pressure that damages the optic nerve.

Answer: cataract

A cataract is created when protein in the lens starts to break down. This breakdown causes the lens to become cloudy. Most cataracts are related to aging. Because the lens becomes cloudy, it prevents the light sensitive retina, which is located on the back of the eye, receiving a clear image.

Answer: macular degeneration

The macula is the center of the retina. The macula enables us to have visual acuity as we are looking forward. Wet macular degeneration occurs if blood vessels grow underneath the macula and then ooze or rupture fluid. Dry macular degeneration begins as the light-sensitive cells in the macula begin to break down.

Answer: presbyopia

Presbyopia occurs as a person ages. The proteins in the lens become thicker causing a loss of suppleness. Light is then projected behind the lens instead of directly on it. This causes a person to lose their focus on things that are close to them. Reading becomes more difficult.

Answer: blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a disorder that causes the muscles around the eyes to contract. A person with blepharospasm can not control the blinking and closing of their eyelids which may progress enough to cause impairment in daily living or eventual blindness. Botulinum toxin injections are administered to help ease the contractions.

Answer: conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis causes the membrane called the conjunctiva, to become red and irritated. The conjunctiva covers the whites of the eye. It may be caused by infection, bacteria or trauma. Bacterial and viral conjunctiva is contagious. Other forms are caused by irritants or allergies.

Answer: strabismus

Strabismus is a disorder in which a person is unable to coordinate both eyes to look in the same direction at the same time. It may occur all the time or occasionally. It is most commonly seen in children and can be treated with glasses or a patch to cover the good eye. This forces the muscles in the bad eye to strengthen and align.

Answer: hyperopia

Hyperopia occurs when the shape of the eyeball is too short. Light gets directed behind the retina instead of onto its surface. It causes a person to clearly focus on distant objects but things near to them become blurred. Glasses help correct hyperopia and surgery can reshape the cornea that adjusts the amount of light that is directed into the eye.

Answer: retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is a disorder in which the retina pulls away from its surrounding tissue. It should be treated a soon as possible after occurring since it may cause vision loss in that eye. The most common type of retinal detachment is a rhegmatogenous detachment in which fluid build up under the retina separates it from its correct position.

Answer: myopia

Myopia causes people to be able to view things close to them but not far away. Light falls short of the retina instead of being refracted directly on it because the eye ball is too long. Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or even surgery.