Retinitis Pigmentosa: What is it?

Fundus of patient with retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common of a large group of progressive retinal degenerations or dystrophies [i.e., degenerative disorders]. There is considerable overlap among the various types. It usually refers to a group of hereditary conditions involving one or several retina layers, causing progressive degeneration. What Causes Retinitis Pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited […]

Aniridia

By Mrinali Patel Gupta, M.D. Aniridia and the Iris The term aniridia is Greek for “without iris.” It is a congenital, bilateral (both eyes) condition characterized by the complete or partial absence of the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil. The iris contains muscles that allow the pupil […]

Astigmatism and Refractive Error

Person selecting eyeglasses

The power of your eye to focus and see an image is dependent on several structures within the eye: Myopia or Near-Sightedness People with myopia, or near-sightedness, can see close-up objects clearly, but distant objects are blurred. Source: National Eye Institute Hyperopia or Far-Sightedness In contrast, people with hyperopia, or far-sightedness, can see distant objects […]

Age-Related Wet & Dry Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Photo of forest with large gray dot in the center.

Are you experiencing blurring or a blind spot in the center of your vision? Are you seeing blurry areas on a printed page? Do some straight lines appear wavy? Are there dark spaces or areas in the center of your vision? It might be age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a gradual, progressive, […]

Conjunctivitis

Close-up of a bloodshot eye

What Is Conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin translucent tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and the outer surface of the sclera, a tough white outer coating, or wall, of fibrous tissue that covers the entire eyeball except for the cornea. Conjunctivitis is usually associated with redness […]