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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Eyes, flashing lights in the
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Eyes, flashing lights in theThere are a number of causes of spontaneous flashing light sensations in the eye. A sensation of flashing lights can be caused when the vitreous (the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye) shrinks and tugs on the retina. These flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. With age, it is more common to experience flashes. They usually do not reflect a serious problem. However, if you notice the sudden appearance of light flashes or a sudden increase in flashing lights, you should see your ophthalmologist immediately to see if the retina has been torn or if there is another cause. Flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes, are different. They are usually caused by migraine, a spasm of blood vessels in the brain. Jagged lines or "heat waves" can also occur without a headache in which case they are termed ophthalmic migraine, or migraine without headache.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Eye
The organ of sight. The eye has a number of components. These components include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.
Vitreous
The transparent, solid, gelatinous material which fills the interior of the eye behind the lens. It allows the eye to maintain its shape.
Retina
A membrane lining the inside of the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive nerve cells that convert focused light into nerve impulses, making vision possible.
Ophthalmologist
A physician (MD) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems and diseases. The ophthalmologist works with the use of glasses, contact lenses, eye medication and surgery.
Migraine
A vascular headache associated with changes in the size of the arteries within and outside of the brain. A migraine begins when hyperactive nerve cells send out impulses to the blood vessels, causing constriction, followed by the dilation of these vessels and the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances that cause the pulsation to be painful. Migraine is a genetic disorder that is inherited. A migraine causes mild to severe pain and lasts from 4 hours up to a week. Migraines usually occur 2 to 4 times per month.
Spasm
A condition in which a muscle or group of muscles involuntarily contract.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Headache
Primary - includes tension (muscular contraction), vascular (migraine), and cluster headaches not caused by other underlying medical conditions. Secondary - includes headaches that result from other medical conditions. These may also be referred to as traction headaches or inflammatory headaches.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Eyes, glaucoma
Disease (there is more than one type) characterized by increased pressure within the eye. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites. Early detection of glaucoma is essential to the preservation of vision. Glaucoma can be treated with medications, laser or traditional surgery.
Eyes, spots in front of the
Also known as "floaters", blurry spots that drift in front of the eyes but do not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous casting a shadow on the retina. The spot is the image formed by a deposit of protein drifting about in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye.
Eyespot
A concentrated patch of photoreceptor cells on the skin present in some species.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Eyelash
One of the familiar stiff hairs that project from the margin of the eyelid. Eyelashes tend to be noticed mainly when something goes wrong with them. An eyelash gets in your eye and irritates it; you have an ingrown eyelash; your eyelashes fall out, etc.
Eyelid
The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball or opened at will. Each eye has an upper and a lower lid. An eyelid is also called a palpebra.
Eyelid myokymia
Fine continuous contractions of the eyelid muscle, typically involving one of the lower eyelids, less often an upper eyelid. The condition occurs spontaneously, sometimes triggered by stress, fatigue, caffeine or alcohol. In most cases, the condition is benign and ceases of its own accord.
Eyelids, adult ptosis of the
Drooping of the upper eyelids in adults, most commonly due to separation of the tendon of the lid-lifting (levator) muscle from the eyelid. This may occur with age, after cataract or other eye surgery, an injury, eye tumor or a complication of other diseases involving the levator muscle or its nerve supply, such as diabetes. If treatment is necessary, it is usually surgical. Sometimes a small tuck in the lifting muscle and eyelid can raise the lid sufficiently. More severe ptosis requires reattachment and strengthening of the levator muscle.
Eyelids, congenital ptosis of the
Drooping of the upper eyelids at birth. The lids may droop only slightly or they may cover the pupils and restrict or even block vision. Moderate or severe pstosis calls for treatment to permit normal vision development. If not corrected, amblyopia ("lazy eye") may develop which can lead to permanently poor vision. Ptosis at birth is often caused by poor development of the levator muscle which lifts the eyelid. Children with ptosis may tip their heads back into a chin-up position to see underneath the eyelids or raise their eyebrows in an attempt to lift up the lids. Congenital ptosis rarely improves with time. Mild or moderate ptosis usually does not require surgery early in life. Treatment is usually surgery to tighten the eyelid-lifting muscles, the levators. If the levator is very weak, the lid can be attached or suspended from under the eyebrow so that the forehead muscles can do the lifting. Even after surgery, focusing problems can develop as the eyes grow and change shape. All children with ptosis, whether they have had surgery or not, should therefore be followed by an ophthalmologist.
Eyes, flashing lights in the
Eyes, glaucoma
Disease (there is more than one type) characterized by increased pressure within the eye. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites. Early detection of glaucoma is essential to the preservation of vision. Glaucoma can be treated with medications, laser or traditional surgery.
Eyes, spots in front of the
Also known as "floaters", blurry spots that drift in front of the eyes but do not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous casting a shadow on the retina. The spot is the image formed by a deposit of protein drifting about in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye.
Eyetooth
An upper canine tooth which is immediately lateral to the second incisor. So-named in the mistaken belief that this tooth was connected to a branch of the nerve that supplies the eye.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Eye
The organ of sight. The eye has a number of components. These components include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.
Vitreous
The transparent, solid, gelatinous material which fills the interior of the eye behind the lens. It allows the eye to maintain its shape.
Retina
A membrane lining the inside of the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive nerve cells that convert focused light into nerve impulses, making vision possible.
Ophthalmologist
A physician (MD) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems and diseases. The ophthalmologist works with the use of glasses, contact lenses, eye medication and surgery.
Migraine
A vascular headache associated with changes in the size of the arteries within and outside of the brain. A migraine begins when hyperactive nerve cells send out impulses to the blood vessels, causing constriction, followed by the dilation of these vessels and the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances that cause the pulsation to be painful. Migraine is a genetic disorder that is inherited. A migraine causes mild to severe pain and lasts from 4 hours up to a week. Migraines usually occur 2 to 4 times per month.
Spasm
A condition in which a muscle or group of muscles involuntarily contract.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Headache
Primary - includes tension (muscular contraction), vascular (migraine), and cluster headaches not caused by other underlying medical conditions. Secondary - includes headaches that result from other medical conditions. These may also be referred to as traction headaches or inflammatory headaches.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Eyes, glaucoma
Disease (there is more than one type) characterized by increased pressure within the eye. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites. Early detection of glaucoma is essential to the preservation of vision. Glaucoma can be treated with medications, laser or traditional surgery.
Eyes, spots in front of the
Also known as "floaters", blurry spots that drift in front of the eyes but do not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous casting a shadow on the retina. The spot is the image formed by a deposit of protein drifting about in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye.
Eyespot
A concentrated patch of photoreceptor cells on the skin present in some species.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Eyelash
One of the familiar stiff hairs that project from the margin of the eyelid. Eyelashes tend to be noticed mainly when something goes wrong with them. An eyelash gets in your eye and irritates it; you have an ingrown eyelash; your eyelashes fall out, etc.
Eyelid
The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball or opened at will. Each eye has an upper and a lower lid. An eyelid is also called a palpebra.
Eyelid myokymia
Fine continuous contractions of the eyelid muscle, typically involving one of the lower eyelids, less often an upper eyelid. The condition occurs spontaneously, sometimes triggered by stress, fatigue, caffeine or alcohol. In most cases, the condition is benign and ceases of its own accord.
Eyelids, adult ptosis of the
Drooping of the upper eyelids in adults, most commonly due to separation of the tendon of the lid-lifting (levator) muscle from the eyelid. This may occur with age, after cataract or other eye surgery, an injury, eye tumor or a complication of other diseases involving the levator muscle or its nerve supply, such as diabetes. If treatment is necessary, it is usually surgical. Sometimes a small tuck in the lifting muscle and eyelid can raise the lid sufficiently. More severe ptosis requires reattachment and strengthening of the levator muscle.
Eyelids, congenital ptosis of the
Drooping of the upper eyelids at birth. The lids may droop only slightly or they may cover the pupils and restrict or even block vision. Moderate or severe pstosis calls for treatment to permit normal vision development. If not corrected, amblyopia ("lazy eye") may develop which can lead to permanently poor vision. Ptosis at birth is often caused by poor development of the levator muscle which lifts the eyelid. Children with ptosis may tip their heads back into a chin-up position to see underneath the eyelids or raise their eyebrows in an attempt to lift up the lids. Congenital ptosis rarely improves with time. Mild or moderate ptosis usually does not require surgery early in life. Treatment is usually surgery to tighten the eyelid-lifting muscles, the levators. If the levator is very weak, the lid can be attached or suspended from under the eyebrow so that the forehead muscles can do the lifting. Even after surgery, focusing problems can develop as the eyes grow and change shape. All children with ptosis, whether they have had surgery or not, should therefore be followed by an ophthalmologist.
Eyes, flashing lights in the
Eyes, glaucoma
Disease (there is more than one type) characterized by increased pressure within the eye. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites. Early detection of glaucoma is essential to the preservation of vision. Glaucoma can be treated with medications, laser or traditional surgery.
Eyes, spots in front of the
Also known as "floaters", blurry spots that drift in front of the eyes but do not block vision. The blur is the result of debris from the vitreous casting a shadow on the retina. The spot is the image formed by a deposit of protein drifting about in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye.
Eyetooth
An upper canine tooth which is immediately lateral to the second incisor. So-named in the mistaken belief that this tooth was connected to a branch of the nerve that supplies the eye.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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