Common Eye Problems: Causes and Treatment

Your vision is truly a gift. Many of us take our clear view of the world for granted. However, many people will experience temporary eye problems from time to time, including itching, blurriness, or fatigue. Most of these eye problems are short-lived and will probably go away on their own with no complications. However, sudden eye problems and those that last for more than a couple of days should be checked by an eye doctor. Some serious eye diseases often have sudden symptoms. The following is a list of common eye problems and their possible causes.

Boy rubbing his eye
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Eye Twitching

Many people have experienced eye twitches. An eye twitch is an involuntary movement of the eyelid. While usually harmless, an eye twitch can be very annoying. Sometimes a simple eye twitch can last for weeks. Eye twitching may be associated with the following:

Itchy Eyes

Are your eyes itchy? Do you find yourself rubbing your eyes throughout the day? Itchy, red eyes can be very uncomfortable. If the itching is really bothersome, you might need to consult your eye doctor for guidance. Several eye conditions can cause itching and irritation. While most of us have experienced eye allergies some time in our life, severe, constant itching can be a sign of a much more severe eye allergy that can cause scarring and corneal shape changes. Here are a few conditions that may cause itchy eyes:

Tired Eyes

Do your eyes feel tired and fatigued? Do you feel like closing your eyes during the day? Having tired eyes can make your whole body feel tired. Tired eyes may be a sign of more than just needing glasses. The following conditions may cause tired eyes:

Spots and Floaters

Do you see spots in your vision? Do you see faint strands floating around that seem to move away if you look at them? Sometimes a large floater can appear out of the blue and be worrisome. If you are concerned about a large spot in your vision, it's a good idea to have a doctor look at it. Sometimes a large floater can be caused by a serious eye condition and the symptom of floaters and spots in your vision should never be put off for days or weeks as they can indicate a series medical eye problem. Floaters may occur with the following conditions:

Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is another annoying eye problem. We can all expect a bit of blurring as we get older, as focusing becomes more difficult as our eyes age. But sometimes blurred vision can signal more serious eye problems. Blurry vision, or the inability to bring objects into sharp focus, can be caused by a number of conditions. Sometimes fatigue or illness can cause vision to be temporarily blurred. The following eye problems can also cause blurry vision:

Age-Related Eye Problems

Many eye problems can occur as we get older. Besides losing our ability to bring small objects into focus or see things clearly at a distance, our eyes become vulnerable to diseases and complications as we age. As always, annual comprehensive eye examinations are important for maintaining healthy vision as we age. The following eye problems may develop due to aging:

Children's Eye Problems

Your child's vision is a precious gift. Unfortunately, some children are born with vision problems that often go unnoticed for several years. Being successful in the classroom begins with good eyesight. Even though your child's school may conduct vision screenings, some vision problems may only be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. Parents are often the first to notice eye problems in their children. Alert an eye care professional if you notice possible problems with your child's eyes or vision. The following eye problems may be responsible:

A Word From Verywell

Your eyes and vision are one of your most precious senses. Because seeing the world is so important, a simple eye problem can have a huge impact on your overall well-being. Most eye problems can be easily solved. Be sure to see your eye doctor if an eye problem occurs.

8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Troy Bedinghaus, OD
Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association.