Select a letter from the alphabet below to find the Eye Disease or select "All" to view the entire list of diseases.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N
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B

Behçet's Disease

Description:Behçet's disease is an autoimmune disease that results from damage to blood vessels throughout the body, particularly veins. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks and harms the body's own tissues including the eyes.

Cause:The exact cause is unknown. It is believed that an autoimmune reaction may cause blood vessels to become inflamed, but it is not clear what triggers this reaction.

Treatment:There is no cure for Behçet's disease. Treatment typically focuses on reducing discomfort and preventing serious complications. Corticosteroids and other medications that suppress the immune system may be prescribed to treat inflammation.

Best Disease

Description:Best disease, also known as vitelliform macular dystrophy, affects the macula and often involves both eyes. The symptoms vary greatly in severity, ranging from mild blurring to extremely distorted central vision or a central blind spot. It causes yellowish material to collect within the delicate retinal cells, giving the macula an "egg yolk" appearance. The disease is usually diagnosed within the first two decades of life.

Cause:Best disease is a dominantly inherited condition.

Treatment:Currently, there is no treatment for Best disease. Ongoing scientific research is directed at understanding the cause of Best disease. In 1998, researchers identified mutations in a gene causing Best disease. Scientists are now studying this gene to determine its function in the retina. This information will greatly enhance efforts to develop treatments for Best disease. Individuals with Best disease may benefit from the use of low-vision aids and, possibly, orientation and mobility training. Orientation and mobility training, adaptive training skills, job placement, and income assistance are available through community resources.

Bietti's Crystalline Dystrophy

Description:Bietti’s Crystalline Dystrophy (BCD) is an inherited eye disease with symptoms of crystals in the cornea (the clear covering of the eye); yellow, shiny deposits on the retina; and progressive atrophy of the retina, choriocapillaries and choroid (the back layers of the eye). This tends to lead to progressive night blindness and visual field constriction.

Cause:BCD is inherited primarily in an autosomal recessive fashion. This means that an affected person receives one nonworking gene from each of his or her parents. A person who inherits a nonworking gene from only one parent will be a carrier, but will not develop the disease. A person with BCD syndrome will pass on one gene to each of his or her children. However, unless the person has children with another carrier of BCD genes, the individual's children are not at risk for developing the disease.

Treatment:At this time, there is no treatment for BCD.