Common eye diseases
Information about the eye diseases we most often examine and treat. Many cause no symptoms at first, and some require prompt action.
For comparison
What a healthy retina looks like
When we photograph the retina, we can see the back wall of the eye. Many of the diseases on this page show up as changes in exactly these structures.
- The optic nerve
- The pale, round disc on the left, where the nerve fibres leave the eye. It is damaged in glaucoma.
- The macula
- The slightly darker area in the middle, where sharp vision is formed. It is affected in AMD.
- The blood vessels
- Arteries and veins that supply the retina. They are damaged in diabetes and in eye strokes.
Chronic eye diseases
Glaucoma
The optic nerve is slowly damaged, often by too high pressure in the eye. Rarely causes symptoms at first.
Read more Chronic diseaseAMD
Wear and tear of the macula, which provides sharp vision. Occurs as dry and wet AMD.
Read more Chronic diseaseDiabetic retinopathy
Damage to the small blood vessels of the retina in diabetes. Detected by regular screening.
Read more Chronic diseaseCataract
The lens of the eye becomes cloudy with age. Treated with a short operation.
Read more Chronic diseaseKeratoconus
The cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped. Usually starts in young people.
Read more Chronic diseaseFuchs’ dystrophy
The innermost cell layer of the cornea weakens, so the cornea swells. Vision is worst in the morning.
Read more Chronic diseaseEpiretinal membrane
A thin membrane on the macula pulls on the retina and causes distorted vision.
Read more Chronic diseaseMacular hole
A small hole in the centre of the retina causes a blurred spot and distortion in central vision.
Read moreEveryday complaints
Dry eyes
Too little or poor-quality tear fluid causes grittiness, stinging and tired eyes.
Read more Everyday complaintsBlepharitis
Long-lasting irritation of the eyelid margins with flakes, redness and a gritty feeling.
Read more Everyday complaintsConjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacteria, viruses or allergy. Red, sticky or itchy eyes.
Read more Everyday complaintsSubconjunctival haemorrhage
A sharply defined red patch on the white of the eye. Looks dramatic but is harmless.
Read more Everyday complaintsOcular migraine
Flickering zigzag lines and blind spots for up to an hour. Harmless, but can be mistaken for something else.
Read more Everyday complaintsWatery eyes
Tears run down the cheek. Often caused by blocked tear ducts or dry eyes.
Read more Everyday complaintsEpiscleritis and scleritis
Redness of the white of the eye. Episcleritis is harmless; scleritis causes deep pain.
Read moreConditions that need prompt examination
Floaters
Black dots, threads and flashes of light when the vitreous gel separates from the retina. Usually harmless.
Read more Acute conditionRetinal detachment
The retina comes away from its underlying layer. An acute condition that requires prompt surgery.
Read more Acute conditionIritis
Inflammation inside the eye with pain, redness and sensitivity to light. Must be treated promptly.
Read more Acute conditionEye stroke
A vein or artery in the retina becomes blocked. Causes sudden, painless loss of vision.
Read more Acute conditionKeratitis
Infection of the cornea, often in contact lens wearers. Pain and sensitivity to light.
Read more Acute conditionOptic neuritis
Inflammation of the optic nerve in younger people. Reduced vision and pain when moving the eye.
Read more Acute conditionCentral serous retinopathy
Fluid under the macula causes blurred and distorted vision. Mainly affects younger men.
Read moreSymptom guide: when should you act?
A general guide. If in doubt, call us during telephone hours or the out-of-hours medical service (lægevagten) outside opening hours.
| Symptom | Possible causes | What should you do? |
|---|---|---|
| Flashes of light, many new black dots or a curtain across your vision | Retinal detachment, posterior vitreous detachment | Urgent Contact an eye doctor or the out-of-hours service the same day |
| Sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye | Eye stroke, wet AMD | Urgent The same day. Call 112 if there are also signs of a stroke |
| Severe pain, red eye, blurred vision, possibly nausea | Acute glaucoma | Urgent Contact a doctor the same day |
| Red, painful eye in a contact lens wearer | Keratitis | Urgent Remove your lenses and contact an eye doctor the same day |
| Red, sore eye that is sensitive to light | Iritis, keratitis, scleritis | Soon Contact us the same day or the next day |
| Reduced vision in one eye and pain when you move the eye | Optic neuritis | Soon Contact us the same day or the next day |
| Straight lines look wavy, or a spot in the centre of your vision | AMD, macular hole, central serous retinopathy, epiretinal membrane | Soon Book an appointment within a few days |
| Flickering zigzag lines in both eyes that pass within an hour | Ocular migraine | Book At the first attack or after the age of 50: contact a doctor the same day |
| Gradually blurred vision and glare | Cataract, Fuchs’ dystrophy (worst in the morning) | Book Routine examination |
| Gritty, stinging, tired or watery eyes | Dry eyes, blepharitis | Book Try artificial tears; book an appointment if they do not help |
| Tears running down the cheek | Blocked tear duct, dry eyes | Book Sooner if there is a red, tender swelling at the side of the nose |
| Rapidly changing glasses prescription and distorted vision in young people | Keratoconus | Book Examination and measurement of the cornea |
| Sharply defined red patch on the white of the eye, without pain | Subconjunctival haemorrhage | Harmless Clears by itself in 1–3 weeks |
| Red, sticky or itchy eyes | Conjunctivitis | Book Sooner if you have pain, reduced vision or wear contact lenses |
| No symptoms, but diabetes or glaucoma in the family | Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma | Book Regular examination |