Your eyes are organs that allow you to see. Many parts of your eye work together to bring objects into focus and send visual information to your brain. Several conditions and injures can cause changes in eyesight. Some conditions can lead to permanent vision loss. To keep your eyes healthy, get regular eye exams and stay healthy overall.
Your eyes are organs that allow you to see. They take in light from the world around you and send visual information to your brain. Your eyes can see about 200 degrees in all directions, including in front of you and to the sides (peripheral vision). Parts of your eyes work together to allow you to see images, movement and depth. Your eyes can see millions of colors in varying shades.
Many conditions can affect how your eyes work, including common vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism and eye injuries. Several diseases and disorders that are not necessarily eye-related can cause problems in the eyes, including autoimmune disorders, diabetes and high blood pressure.
To keep your eyes healthy, you should see your provider for regular eye exams. Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking, which can damage your eyes. Always wear protective eyewear to prevent injuries, especially during contact sports or if you have a job working with tools that could potentially lead to eye injuries (welding, metalwork, woodworking, etc).
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The parts of the eye include:
The different parts of your eye work together to help you see images and send visual information to your brain. This process all happens extremely quickly. When you look at an object:
Your eye is the shape of a ball that’s slightly compressed. It’s not quite a perfect sphere because it’s a little more pointed in the front. In adults, the eye is about 1 inch in diameter.
Eye colors vary, from blue, green or amber to all shades of brown. Some people have flecks or stripes of different colors in their irises. They may also have a darker ring of color around their irises. The color of your eyes depends on your genes.
There are hundreds of conditions, disorders, diseases and injuries that affect the eyes. Some conditions, such as uveitis, cause eye pain. Others can lead to low vision or vision loss. About 12 million adults in the United States have some type of impaired vision.
Conditions that affect the eyes include:
Some conditions affect the eyes directly. Other disorders begin in different parts of your body and lead to problems in your eyes. These include:
Signs of eye problems include:
During a comprehensive eye exam, providers use several tests to check for disease and other problems in the eye. Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend tests that evaluate your field of vision, visual acuity (sharpness) or ability to see color. They may also check the pressure inside your eye or use imaging studies to get a closer look at your retina or optic nerve.
Treatments for eye problems vary widely. They include:
To keep your eyes healthy, you should:
Get medical help right away if you or your child has:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Your eyes play a critical role in helping you interact with the world. The parts of the eye work together to allow you to see. Many injuries, diseases and conditions can cause problems with how the eyes work. If you or your child has headaches or you’re squinting to see, call your provider for an eye exam. Get help right away if you see flashes of light or a new floater. You should also call your provider if your vision is suddenly cloudy, blurry or if you’re seeing double. These may be signs of a serious eye problem. To keep your eyes healthy, protect them during activities that could cause damage.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/20/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy