Dr. Edward N. Burney, MD

Depends on the circumstance. Assuming no noxious agents in the air (smoke, dust, etc) then the common cause is "Dry Eye". The unstable tears tend to not coat the surface of the eye, instead pooling on the lower lid. Instill a drop of artificial tears 4-5x per day as needed (reading, computer work, movie watching are activities which cause watering the most). If the problem persist,, see your eye care provider.

You should see an eye doctor. This may simply be dry eye, requiring otc tears, but may be infection of the eyelid glands.

It may be due to a lack of oxygen to the cornea due to the contact lens being on too long. The other possibility is a scratched cornea as a result of the removal of the lens. Either should be evaluated by your eye doctor.

Yes, in the form of a subconjunctival hemorrhage. While it looks bad, it is harmless, usually clearing without medication. Cool compresses for 5 mins 3-4 times a day the first 24 hrs may limit enlargement. However, recurrent hemorrhages may be a sign of a clotting problem. If this occurs, see your eye care provider.

The most common cause is dryness of the eyes. You can try OTC tear substitutes 3-4x per day, if that does not help, see your eye care provider for an evaluation

It can be either. Vision can be disturbed by:

1-Particles floating inside the eye may be harmless, or may indicate the new onset of a retinal tear or hole in the retina.
2-Vision may also be obstructed by particles passing through the bloodstream of the eye, and may suggest you have carotid artery plaques, a stroke risk.

Either should be checked by your eye doctor.

The retina is the inner most layer of the eye and is responsible for your vision. A detachment occurs when the retina is separated from the underlying layer. This can occur when either a hole occurs in the retina, say, due to trauma, or due to pulling on the retina by scar tissue from bleeding due to diabetic eye disease, or chronic inflammation in the back of the eye.

Ophthalmologist are medical doctors with specialized training to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of ocular conditions. A retina surgeon has had the same training, but in addition, specific training in the management of medical and surgical treatment of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, and retinal detachments, and diabetic eye disease.

You may have blepharitis, a common eyelid condition. This comes from a build up of the bacteria we all have on our skin. Your eye doctor may recommend lid washing with no tears shampoo, antibiotic ointment, warm wet compresses and if severe, systemic antibiotics like tetracycline.
See an eye doctor to be sure.

Both go to college, usually for 4 yrs. Then compete for selection into 4 additional years of training .Optometrist-study anatomy/physiology of the eye, as well as the diagnosis and medical treatment of numerous eye conditions. Ophthalmologist, after the first 4 yrs, go to medical school, where they study the entire body and diseases affecting all parts. Then compete for an additional 3 yrs of residency, and 1-2 more years of fellowship in areas like retina, glaucoma, cornea, or pediatrics. Ophthalmologist are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of ocular diseases.

While this is not an emergency, you should see your eye doctor immediately. It may be something as simple as dry eye, or more serious, like Fuch's dystrophy of the cornea. Eye drops may be prescribed in either case, depending on the severity.

See your eye doctor soon. It may be a corneal condition called "keratoconus"

The answer in general is no. If your visual condition is continuing to decline, you should have an exam to determine the cause.
You may have heard of "second sight" in which the vision can become less glasses dependant. This occurs if someone is slightly farsighted, and with age and cataract development, which can reduce farsightedness, and they become less glasses dependent for distance. But this is a transient and temporay state that disappears as the cataract progresses.
Please see you eyecare professional for evaluation and discussion of your concern.

Edward N. Burney, MD FAAO FACS
Professor Ophthalmology, CWRUSOM
Director Anterior Segment and Glaucoma
University Hospitals Eye Institute
Director Ophthalmology VAMC Wade Park