Conditions & Diseases of the Eye
From common allergies to rare diseases, the human eye can be affected by any number of maladies, causing issues – ranging from general discomfort to a complete loss of vision. 
The overall health of the eye can be compromised at any time, often without any undue symptoms until irreversible damage is done. This risk increases exponentially as the individual grows older, a fact that might well translate into a higher percentage of eye-related ailments in the future as the world's population continues to live longer. While certain diseases, such as trachoma, might be unheard of in some areas of the world, they can be at near-epidemic levels in others. Also, common conditions such as allergies might seem benign to some, but others across the globe might suffer to such an extent and degree as to lower the quality of life for an entire community.
Whether it's an eye condition or health situation that's prevalent among the world population or one whose treatment or cure would have the greatest impact, Alcon puts much thought into choosing those opportunities that we pursue.
Cataracts
A clouding of the normally clear, natural crystalline lens in your eye is called a cataract. This clouding is usually due to the aging process but can also be caused by eye trauma, heredity, diabetes, and even some medications. Currently, cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
Detached Retina
Occurring in those who are myopic as they age, people who have had cataract surgery or those who have suffered a head injury, a detached retina is a tear or hole in the retina that can result in blurry, dim or reduced vision. As the world's aging population grows, cases of detached retina may become more commonplace.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Caused by complications of diabetes that result in decreased vision and blindness, diabetic retinopathy is a disease that affects those with Type I and Type II diabetes by damaging the blood vessels inside the retina. If the damaged vessels leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can occur. The rising number of individuals being diagnosed with diabetes worldwide most likely will lead to a growing prevalence of this disease in the future.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Many people experience dry eyes from time to time, yet millions worldwide have to live with the irritating and often debilitating affects of dry eye on a regular basis. Often the result of any combination of a number of factors such as altitude, temperature, humidity levels, wind, air pollution and a host of ocular irritants, dry eye symptoms often mirror those of other conditions.
Eye Allergies
An abnormal reaction or increased sensitivity to foreign substances known as allergens, eye allergies are one of the most common diseases experienced by the global population.
Eye Infections
Infections of the eye can be caused by bacteria, a virus or even be brought on by allergies and require rapid attention by an eye care professional. More severe ocular disorders can develop if infections are not treated promptly and aggressively.
Eye Inflammation
Often painful and requiring attention by an eye care specialist, inflammation of tissue associated with the eye can be caused by bacterial, viral or environmental factors. An environmental factor experienced on a global scale is overexposure to ultraviolet light – often resulting in inflammation of the cornea or the conjunctiva. Repeat exposure and inflammation may contribute to cataracts.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a sight-threatening optic nerve disease often related to increased intraocular pressure. The second leading cause of blindness worldwide, glaucoma affects some groups differently than others. For instance, those of African descent are five times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65. Central vision is gradually blurred and can be eventually lost – severely hampering the individual's quality of life. This is of great concern as the world's population aged 65 and older is growing at an unprecedented rate.
Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism & Presbyopia
These are conditions of the eye that result in less than perfect vision. Short- or near-sightedness (myopia), causes blurred distance vision. Hyperopia, or long- or far-sightedness, causes blurred close vision. Astigmatism is an irregularly-shaped cornea that can distort vision at all ranges – while Presbyopia is the loss of one's ability to focus close-up as one grows older.