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All three of these conditions can cause either severe vision loss or blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults each year. Glaucoma is another leading cause of blindness in the U.S.; among African-Americans, it is the most common cause of blindness. Others at risk for glaucoma include people older than 60, especially Mexican-Americans, and people with a family history of glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss among people older than 60.

Tears can also be a reaction to an irritant in the eye, to bright light or to spicy foods, as well as to emotional upset (crying).

20/20 vision is defined by what a person with normal vision can see clearly from 20 feet away. A reading of 20/40 means the person sees at 20 feet what the person with normal vision can see at 40 feet.

All of the above.

All of the above.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s guidelines suggest eye examinations for people ages 40 to 65 every two to four years. Adults ages 20 to 29 should have a complete eye exam at least once, and people ages 30 to 39 should have two complete eye examinations during this time. Adults age 65 and older should have their eyes checked every one to two years. If you have a family history of eye disease or injuries, diabetes, or are African-American and age 40 or older, see your eye doctor to decide how often you should have your eyes checked.

The cornea and lens are the parts of the eye responsible for focusing the light onto the retina. If the cornea or eye shape is abnormal, vision can become blurry, because light does not fall properly on the retina. Called a refractive error, an abnormal cornea shape can often be corrected by refractive eye surgery. The goal of most refractive eye surgeries is to reduce or eliminate a person’s dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. Several types of corrective surgical procedures can be done for refractive errors. Talk with your health care provider to find out which type of surgery, if any, may be appropriate for you.

The condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults each year. In diabetes, damage can occur to the retina of the eye. The retina is a thin layer of tissue in the back of the eye. It captures light rays that enter the eye, making vision possible. Small blood vessels supply blood to the retina. In diabetes, these tiny blood vessels can often be affected by high glucose (sugar) levels, damaging the retina and possibly leading to blindness.

An ophthalmologist is the only eye-care professional qualified to perform surgery.