As a condition that affects the facial skin, rosacea causes inflammation, burning, redness, and itchiness. This condition can be the result of an overactive immune system, genetics, or environmental factors. Unfortunately, this condition can act on the eyes as well, due to their vital role as a central part of the facial area.
After having a stroke or spinal cord injury, it is vital to ensure that the nervous system is still functioning properly. Signs that the nervous system has been impacted include delayed movements, difficulty with speech, and paralysis of certain muscles. Horner Syndrome, a condition that affects the neural pathways of the eye and face, is often caused by damage to the nervous system.
There are many different cells involved in the pathway that communicates the light detected by photosensors in the retina to the rest of the brain. One important group of cells sense light, but do not help us see: they are involved in other functions such as maintaining/resetting the circadian rhythm.
As the light-sensitive layer at the very back of our eye, the retina is responsible for converting light that enters the eye into information that the brain can understand. The cells in our retina play an essential role in our ability to see colors, visualize shapes, and process light.
As we approach the holiday season, dazzling lights and flashy decorations are bound to be placed across your environment. Whether placed around your home, your neighborhood, or your overall community, holiday lights are a common way to express cheerful spirit throughout the winter months.
As a rare and aggressive neurological disorder, cystinosis affects only 500 people living in the United States today. This disorder originates from a recessive gene called CTNS, which is responsible for managing the deposition of cystine crystals in the cornea, a light-bending layer of the eye. This gene is able to regulate a required level of cystine through the creation of a protein called cystinosin. Cystine is an amino acid that is vital for making important proteins in our body.
The pupil is the round opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye to be processed by the retina. However, the pupil is not always round! A round pupil is found in humans and other animals like dogs, but other animals can have differently shaped pupils serving different purposes.