Eyes

Overview

Your eyes are the organs that let you see. They take in light, focus it, and send signals to your brain, which turns those signals into pictures. Because eyes do so much, they can run into many different problems — some minor and quick to clear up, like a stye or dry, gritty eyes, and some serious, like glaucoma or a detached retina. This article covers the most common eye problems, what to watch for, and how to keep your eyes healthy. It does not replace a proper eye check with a trained professional.

Yes. Eye problems are among the most common reasons people visit a doctor or pharmacist. Needing glasses, dry eyes, eye strain from screens, and eye infections are all very usual. More serious conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration become much more common as people get older.

Anyone can have eye problems, at any age. Some groups are more at risk: people over 60, people with diabetes or high blood pressure, people who smoke, people with a family history of eye disease, people who work with screens or in dusty or hazardous settings, and people of African, Caribbean or South Asian heritage, who have a higher chance of developing glaucoma.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Blurred or hazy vision, or needing to squint to see clearly
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes
• Dry, gritty or burning eyes, especially after screen use
• Sensitivity to light
• A feeling that something is in your eye
• Sticky or watery discharge, sometimes crusting the lashes in the morning
• Tired, aching eyes or headaches after close work
• Small floating shapes or 'cobwebs' drifting across your vision
• A small red or yellow lump on the eyelid (stye or chalazion)
• Needing brighter light or holding things closer to read

Symptoms in children

• Rubbing the eyes a lot or blinking more than usual
• Sitting very close to the TV or holding books and phones very near
• Squinting, or tilting the head to one side to see
• One eye turning in or out, even some of the time
• Complaining of headaches or sore eyes after schoolwork
• Falling behind at school, or losing interest in reading
• Red, sticky eyes — very common in young children and usually mild
• A white or cloudy reflection in the pupil seen in a photo (this should always be checked)

Symptoms in older adults

• Sight that slowly becomes cloudier or more yellow (a common sign of cataract)
• Glare from lights or headlights, and trouble seeing in dim light
• Losing side (peripheral) vision without noticing it
• Straight lines looking wavy, or a blurry or blank patch in the centre of vision
• More floaters, or new flashes of light
• Dry, sore eyes, often alongside dry mouth or certain long-term conditions
• Eyes tiring quickly, or double vision
• More falls or bumps — sometimes a sign that sight has changed

Causes

Main causes

• Refractive errors — the shape of the eye means light does not focus sharply, causing short-sight, long-sight or astigmatism
• Infection — viral or bacterial infections of the surface of the eye or eyelid (conjunctivitis, styes)
• Allergy — pollen, dust mites, pets or cosmetics causing itchy, watery eyes
• Dry eye — not enough tears, or tears of poor quality, often linked to screen use, age or some medicines and health conditions
• Ageing changes — cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration become more likely with age
• Long-term health conditions — diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels at the back of the eye
• Injury — knocks, scratches, foreign bodies, or chemicals getting into the eye
• Eye strain and fatigue — long periods of close screen work or reading, often with poor lighting
• Sun exposure over many years, and smoking, which damage eye tissue

Risk factors

• Being over 60
• A family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration or other eye disease
• Diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Smoking
• Long-term use of steroid medicines (by mouth, inhaler or drops)
• Wearing contact lenses, especially if you clean or store them incorrectly
• Work or hobbies with a risk of eye injury, dust, or UV light (welding, gardening, some sports)
• Lots of screen time without breaks
• African, Caribbean or South Asian heritage (higher risk of glaucoma)
• Being very short-sighted (higher risk of retinal problems)

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any sudden change in your vision, even if it comes back
• Severe eye pain, or a very red eye with reduced sight
• A red eye while wearing contact lenses
• New flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, or a shadow across your vision
• A chemical splash or an object stuck in the eye
• Eye injury, or pain after being hit in the eye
• A swollen eyelid with fever or spreading redness
• Discharge of pus from the eye, or a sticky eye in a newborn

Book a routine appointment if:

• Gradual blurring, or finding it harder to read small print
• Persistent dry, gritty or watery eyes
• Recurring styes or lumps on the eyelid
• Itchy, red eyes that keep coming back
• Headaches or eye tiredness after screen work
• More floaters than before, without flashes or shadowing
• A noticeable change in how you see colours or in dim light
• It has been more than two years since your last eye test

Diagnosis

An eye professional starts by asking what you have noticed and when, about your general health, medicines, and whether eye problems run in your family. They then look at your eyes and test how well you see. Most of the checks are simple and painless. A high-street optometrist (the person who does eye tests and fits glasses) can pick up many problems, and can refer you on to a hospital eye clinic or your doctor if needed.

Tests that may be done

• A vision test — reading letters or symbols on a chart, one eye at a time
• Refraction — trying different lenses to see if glasses would sharpen your sight
• Slit-lamp examination — looking at the front of the eye and eyelid under bright light and magnification
• Eye pressure test — a quick puff of air or a gentle touch on the eye to check for glaucoma risk
• Looking at the back of the eye (fundoscopy) — checking the retina and its blood vessels
• Photographs or scans of the retina — painless images of the back of the eye
• Visual field test — pressing a button when you see spots of light, to map your side vision
• A swab of the eye, only if an infection needs to be identified
• Blood tests or a referral to your doctor, if a general health condition is suspected

What to expect at your appointment

A routine eye test usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. Drops may be used to widen your pupils so the back of the eye can be seen — these can blur your vision and make light feel bright for a few hours, so it helps to arrange not to drive straight afterwards. You can ask questions at any point, and it is fine to bring someone with you.

Treatment

Treatment depends completely on what is causing the problem. Some eyes settle with simple self-care such as cool compresses, cleaning the eyelids, or taking screen breaks. Some need glasses or contact lenses. Others need prescription treatment from a doctor or hospital eye clinic. The earlier a problem is found, the simpler and more effective treatment tends to be.

Self-care at home

• Follow the 20-20-20 habit for screen work: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds
• Blink fully and often during screen use, and position the screen slightly below eye level
• Use good, even lighting and avoid glare from windows or lamps reflecting on screens
• For dry, tired eyes, ask your pharmacist which lubricating eye drops or gels would suit you, and follow the instructions
• For a stye or a blocked eyelid gland, hold a clean warm compress against the closed eyelid for a few minutes, several times a day — never squeeze it
• For itchy allergic eyes, try to avoid the trigger and use cool compresses; ask your pharmacist for advice
• Clean eyelids gently with a warm, damp cloth if they are crusty
• Remove contact lenses at the first sign of redness or pain, and follow the cleaning and wearing advice you were given
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection on bright days, and safety glasses for DIY, gardening or sport
• Have an eye test at least every two years, or more often if advised

Medical treatments

Treatments are chosen to match the cause. Eye infections caused by bacteria may be treated with prescription antibiotic drops or ointment, while viral infections usually clear on their own. Allergic eye problems may be helped by antihistamine drops or tablets, or by other anti-allergy treatments your doctor recommends. Dry eye is usually managed with lubricating drops or gels, plus changes to your routine. Glaucoma is treated with eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery to lower the pressure inside the eye and protect your sight. Age-related macular degeneration may be treated with injections into the eye or with laser, depending on the type. Cataract is treated with surgery. Your eye professional will explain the options for your situation, including the benefits and risks, and any medicine they prescribe will come with instructions — always follow those and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only suggested when other options are unlikely to be enough. Common examples include cataract surgery, where the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial one; laser or surgery for glaucoma; surgery to repair a detached retina; and operations to straighten a squinting eye. Most eye surgery is done as a day case, under local numbing or general anaesthetic, and recovery is often quicker than people expect. Your surgical team will explain what happens, how to prepare, and what to avoid while you heal.

Living with this condition

If your sight has changed, small adjustments make a big difference. Better lighting, larger print, and a magnifier or phone camera can all help with reading. Rearranging furniture, keeping pathways clear, and using night lights lower the risk of trips and falls. If you drive, check with your eye professional and your licensing service about any rules that apply to you. If you use a computer for work, tell your employer — they often have a duty to make reasonable adjustments such as a larger screen or extra breaks.

Lifestyle tips

• Stop smoking, or cut down — smoking is one of the biggest avoidable risks to sight
• Protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses that block UV
• Take regular breaks from screens, and set up your desk so you are not straining
• Wear safety goggles for DIY, gardening, welding and some sports
• Keep hands clean and avoid rubbing your eyes, especially during colds and flu
• Follow the care instructions for your contact lenses exactly, and never sleep in them unless told you can
• Keep up to date with eye tests and with checks for diabetes and blood pressure

Diet and exercise

Eating a varied, balanced diet supports eye health — dark green leafy vegetables, colourful fruit and vegetables, oily fish, eggs and nuts are all good choices. There is no strong evidence that special eye supplements help most people, so it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any. Regular physical activity helps your heart and blood vessels, including the tiny ones that supply your eyes. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar steady and your blood pressure controlled is one of the most powerful things you can do to protect your sight.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Changes in your sight can be unsettling, and it is completely normal to feel worried, frustrated or low. Vision problems can affect work, driving, reading and confidence, and some people feel isolated. These feelings are valid and there is help. Talk to your doctor or eye clinic — they can connect you with counselling, low vision support, or practical help. If you ever feel hopeless or unsafe, please reach out to a crisis or mental health support service in your area straight away.

Prevention

Not all eye problems can be prevented, but many can be delayed or made less likely. Regular eye tests are the single most useful step, because they pick up conditions like glaucoma long before you would notice anything. Protecting your eyes from sun, injury and smoke, taking care of your general health, and giving your eyes regular screen breaks all help too.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine that prevents common eye problems such as cataract or glaucoma. Keeping up with routine vaccinations, including flu and other recommended jabs, helps you stay well overall, and some eye infections spread easily, so good hand hygiene matters.

Screening programmes

Regular eye tests are the main screening tool. Many eye services advise a test at least every two years, more often if you have a family history, diabetes, or are over 60. In the UK, eye tests are free at least every two years for people on certain benefits or with a higher risk of eye disease, and everyone with diabetes is invited for a yearly diabetic eye screening. Babies and young children are checked at routine health reviews, and some schools run vision checks. Ask your local health service what you are eligible for.

Complications

If left untreated

• Some conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, can cause permanent sight loss if not found and treated early
• Untreated infections or injuries can leave scarring that affects vision
• A detached retina can cause permanent loss in that eye if not repaired quickly
• Sight loss increases the risk of falls, accidents and difficulty driving
• Missed eye problems can affect schoolwork in children and independence in older adults
• Living with sight loss can affect mood, confidence and social connection

Long-term outlook

The outlook for most eye problems is good. Many clear up on their own, and others are simply corrected with glasses or a short course of treatment. Even serious conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can often be slowed or managed, especially when found early — which is why regular eye tests matter so much. If your sight has changed, support is available to help you keep doing the things you enjoy. Your eye professional can talk you through what to expect for your own situation.

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