Eye Problems: Symptoms from A to Z

By Gina White; reviewed by Dr. Charles Slonim

Something wrong with your eyes? Find symptoms in the list below, then look to the right for associated eye problems and diseases. To learn more, click on the eye problem or disease for a pop-up window with a definition and links.

Please note: The information on this page is not intended as a diagnosis of your problem, but rather as a helpful guide. Information is not necessarily complete. Please see your eye doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Symptom

Possible Eye Problem or Disease

A

Absence of eye or eyes

anophthalmos

B

Blinking, frequent

blepharospasm, contact lens problem, dry eye syndrome, foreign body, hemifacial spasm, stroke

Blinking, infrequent

cranial nerve palsy, Parkinson's disease

Bloodshot eye

See: red or pink eye

Blurred vision, distance

myopia. See also: blurred vision, general

Blurred vision, general

accommodative disorder, albinism, amblyopia, aniridia, asteroid hyalosis, astigmatism, cataract, cellulitis, central serous retinopathy, computer vision syndrome, contact lens problem, corneal abrasion, corneal dystrophy, corneal erosion, cranial nerve palsy, drugs, epiretinal membrane, eye tumor, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, glaucoma, hypotony, keratoconus, lens dislocation, macular degeneration, meibomianitis, migraine, neuroretinitis, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, optic nerve problem, photokeratitis, pterygium, retinal detachment, retinitis, retinoschisis, scleritis, surgery, trauma, uveitis, vascular problem, vitreous hemorrhage, white dot syndrome

Blurred vision, near

diabetic retinopathy, hyperopia, presbyopia. See also: blurred vision, general

Bulging eye

cavernous sinus problem, cellulitis, eye tumor, glaucoma, Graves' ophthalmology, histiocytosis, mucormycosis, optic nerve problem, orbital pseudotumor, trauma, vascular problem. See also: small eye

Bump on eye (any color)

papilloma, pinguecula, pterygium

Bump on eyelid (any color)

chalazion, nevus, papilloma, skin cancer, sty, xanthelasma

Burning

blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, computer vision syndrome, conjunctivitis, contact lens problem, cranial nerve palsy, dry eye syndrome, environmental condition, meibomianitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, trauma. See also: eye pain or discomfort
 

C

Close appearance of object that is actually farther away

metamorphopsia

Cloud shape in vision

See: floater in vision

Clouding of the eye's surface

fungal keratitis eye infection

Clump shape in vision

See: floater in vision

Color vision problem

cataract, color blindness, drugs, neuroretinitis, optic nerve problem, white dot syndrome

Crossed eyes

cranial nerve palsy, strabismus

Crusty eyelid

blepharitis
 

Contact Lenses

LASIK & Vision Surgery

Eyeglasses

Sunglasses

Eye Exams

Problems & Diseases

  Cataracts

  Glaucoma

  Macular Degeneration

  Other Diseases

Vision Insurance

Low Vision

Computer Vision

Sports Vision

Nutrition & Eyes

Buy Smarter

Vision Over 40

Vision Over 60

Children's Vision

Teens

Resources

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D

Depth perception problem

anophthalmos, blurred vision (in one eye), cranial nerve palsy, strabismus

Differing prescriptions in eyes

anisometropia

Discharge

canaliculitis, conjunctivitis, contact lens problem, dacryocystitis, dacryostenosis, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, overflow tearing, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome

Distorted vision

astigmatism, keratoconus, metamorphopsia, migraine, ocular migraine

Double vision (diplopia)

accommodative disorder, astigmatism, cranial nerve palsy, diabetic retinopathy, eye tumor (orbital), Graves' ophthalmology, keratoconus, lens dislocation, myasthenia gravis, ophthalmoplegia, pseudotumor cerebri, stroke, trauma, vascular problem, vergence disorder. See also: shadow on letters

Droopy eyelid

blepharochalasis, dermatochalasis, ptosis

Dry eyelid

blepharitis, dry skin

Dry eyes

blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, computer vision syndrome, conjunctivitis, cranial nerve palsy, dacryoadenitis, drugs, dry eye syndrome, environmental condition, meibomianitis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, Sjogren's syndrome, trauma
 

E

Eyelash loss

madarosis, trichotillomania

Eyelash particles, atypical

blepharitis, pediculosis

Eyelid cleft

coloboma, trauma

Eyelid turns in

entropion

Eyelid turns out

ectropion

Eyes are different colors

heterochromia

Eyes don't point in same direction

cranial nerve palsy, strabismus

Eyestrain

accommodative disorder, astigmatism, computer vision syndrome, convergence insufficiency, divergence insufficiency, hyperopia, myopia, presbyopia
 

F

Far appearance of object that is actually closer

metamorphopsia

Floater in vision

floater

Foreign body sensation (feels like something is in the eye)

band keratopathy, blepharitis, contact lens problem, corneal abrasion, corneal dystrophy, corneal edema, corneal erosion, dry eye syndrome, entropion, eye tumor, foreign body (corneal or conjunctival), keratitis, pterygium (inflamed), Sjogren's syndrome, surgery, sty, trauma. See also: eye pain or discomfort
 

G

Glare

See: light sensitivity

Grittiness

blepharitis, corneal abrasion, dry eye syndrome, keratitis [including radiation (UV) keratitis]
 

H

Halos around lights

cataract, corneal edema, corneal opacity, drugs, glaucoma, migraine, ocular migraine
 

I, J, K

Iris defect

aniridia, coloboma, eye tumor (iris), surgery, trauma

Itchy eyes

allergy, conjunctivitis, contact lens problem, dry eye syndrome, entropion, pterygium (inflamed), Sjogren's syndrome
 

L

Large appearance of objects that are actually smaller

metamorphopsia

Lazy eye

amblyopia

Lesions on the surface of the eye

fungal keratitis eye infection

Light flashes

migraine, ocular migraine, retinal detachment, retinal tear, vitreous detachment

Light sensitivity

fungal keratitis eye infection, photophobia

Lights, halos around

See: halos
 

M

Movement of eyelid, limited ability

cranial nerve palsy, eye tumor (orbital), trauma (orbital fracture)

Movement of eyes, involuntary

opsoclonus, nystagmus

Movement of eyes, limited ability

cranial nerve palsy, eye tumor (orbital), Graves' ophthalmology, ophthalmoplegia, Parinaud dorsal midbrain syndrome, stroke, trauma
 

N, O

Night vision problem

myopia, retinitis pigmentosa
 

P, Q

Pain or discomfort around eyes

blepharoconjunctivitis, eye tumor (orbital), orbital pseudotumor (inflammatory), sinusitis, trauma

Pain or discomfort in eye

blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, cellulitis, chalazion, conjunctivitis, contact lens problem, corneal abrasion, corneal dystrophy, corneal edema, corneal erosion, corneal ulcer, dacryocystitis, dry eye syndrome, ectropion, endophthalmitis, entropion, episcleritis, eye tumor, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, glaucoma, Graves' ophthalmology, hypotony, keratitis, migraine, mucormycosis, neuroretinitis, ophthalmoplegia, optic nerve problem, photokeratitis, scleritis, sinusitis, sty, surgery, trauma, uveitis, vascular problem. See also: burning, foreign body sensation

Pain or discomfort, eyelid

blepharitis, cellulitis, chalazion, ectropion, entropion, eye tumor (lid), sty

Peripheral vision problem

anophthalmos. See also: vision loss, peripheral

Pupil, large (dilated)

cranial nerve palsy, drugs, trauma

Pupil, small

Argyll Robertson pupil, drugs, Horner's syndrome

Pupils, different sized

anisocoria. See also: pupil, large and pupil, small

Pupil unresponsiveness to light

Argyll Robertson pupil, cranial nerve palsy, drugs, glaucoma, optic nerve problem, Parinaud dorsal midbrain syndrome, tonic pupil, trauma, uveitis

Pupil, white

See: spot on eye, white or cloudy
 

R

Red or pink eye

allergy, blepharoconjunctivitis, canaliculitis, cavernous sinus problem, computer vision syndrome, conjunctivitis, contact lens problem, corneal abrasion, corneal ulcer, dacryocystitis, dry eye syndrome, ectropion, endophthalmitis, entropion, episcleritis, eye tumor, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, glaucoma, Graves' ophthalmology, meibomianitis, pterygium, scleritis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, surgery, uveitis, vascular problem

Red or pink eyelid

blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, cellulitis, contact lens problem, dacryoadenitis, ectropion, lupus erythematosus, meibomianitis, stye, vascular birthmark. See also: spot on eyelid, colored
 

S

Shadow in vision

macular degeneration, retinal detachment. See also: floater in vision

Shadow on letters

astigmatism, macular degeneration. See also: double vision

Small appearance of objects that are actually larger

metamorphopsia

Small eye

enophthalmos, microphthalmia, ptosis. See also: bulging eye

Spasm

See: eye twitching

Speck in vision

See: floater in vision

Spot in vision

cataract. See also: floater in vision, vision loss

Spot on eye, brown

melanosis, nevus, skin cancer

Spot on eye, red or pink

See: red or pink eye

Spot on eye, white or cloudy

cataract, corneal edema, corneal opacity, corneal ulcer, eye tumor (intraocular), leukocoria, pinguecula, pterygium. See also: white ring/bow around iris

Spot on eye, yellow

pinguecula. See also: yellow eyes

Spot on eyelid, colored

eye tumor, liver spot, lupus erythematosus, melanosis, nevus, papilloma, pediculosis, skin cancer, xanthelasma. See also: red or pink eyelid

Squiggle in vision

metamorphopsia. See also: floater in vision

Squinting

accommodation disorder, amblyopia, hyperopia, myopia, photophobia, presbyopia, uveitis, vergence disorder. See also: light sensitivity

Sticky eyes

allergy, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, dacryostenosis

Straight lines appear wavy, curved or bent

metamorphopsia

Strand shape in vision

See: floater in vision

Swelling, around eyes

cellulitis, dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis, eye tumor, sinusitis, trauma

Swelling, eye

chemosis, fungal keratitis eye infection, trauma

Swelling, eyelid

allergy, blepharitis, canaliculitis, cellulitis, chalazion, contact lens problem, dacryoadenitis, eye tumor, meibomianitis, sinusitis, sty, trauma, vascular problem
 

T, U

Tearing

allergy, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, chalazion, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, corneal dystrophy, corneal ulcer, cranial nerve palsy, dacryocystitis, dacryostenosis, dry eye syndrome, entropion, environmental condition, episcleritis, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, keratitis, overflow tearing, scleritis, sty, trauma, uveitis

Tired eyes

See: eyestrain

Tunnel vision

See: vision loss, peripheral

Twitching (tic)

blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, myokymia
 

V

Vision improvement, temporary

cataract

Vision loss, central

central serous retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, epiretinal membrane, macular degeneration, macular hole, migraine, neuroretinitis, optic nerve problem, vascular problem, white dot syndrome

Vision loss, general

albinism, amblyopia, band keratopathy, cavernous sinus problem, cellulitis, corneal dystrophy, corneal edema, corneal opacity, cranial nerve palsy, diabetic retinopathy, drugs, endophthalmitis, entropion, eye tumor, foreign body, fungal keratitis eye infection, Graves' ophthalmology, lead poisoning, Leber's congenital amaurosis, lens dislocation, migraine, mucormycosis, neuroretinitis, optic nerve problem, Patau syndrome, photokeratitis, pseudotumor cerebri, retinal detachment, retinitis, stroke, surgery, Tay-Sachs disease, toxocariasis, trauma, vascular problem, vitreous hemorrhage, white dot syndrome

Vision loss, peripheral

drugs, glaucoma, migraine, ocular migraine, optic nerve problem, retinitis, retinitis pigmentosa
 

W, X

Wall-eyed (eye turned towards ear)

cranial nerve palsy, strabismus

Watering eyes

See: tearing

Wavy lines in vision

metamorphopsia, migraine, ocular migraine. See also: floater in vision

White ring around iris

arcus

White spot on eye

See: spot on eye, white or cloudy
 

Y

Yellow eyes

jaundice

Yellow spot on eye

See: spot on eye, yellow
 

Z

Zigzag in vision

See: floater in vision, wavy lines in vision
 

[Page updated January 2008]

Lid hygiene is especially important when preparing for cataract surgery. Learn about SteriLid

Tears Again Hydrate gels contain omega-3 fatty acids to treat dry eyes

Bothered by blurry vision? New Blur Relief eye drops naturally refresh dry, irritated eyes

Don't delay your cataract surgery due to cost. Get low monthly payments from CareCredit

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