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- VSP Contributor, 30 Apr 2025
Watch Out for These Lesser-Known Eye Conditions
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In 2025, our understanding of eye health continues to evolve, and new research sheds light on lesser-known eye conditions that can affect people's vision. While many are familiar with common eye conditions like nearsightedness or cataracts, there are less common conditions that can have a significant impact on your sight. Here are five lesser-known eye conditions to be aware of.
Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is an eye condition where your eyes become excessively sensitive to light, causing discomfort or even pain. Photophobia can make normal, everyday exposure to light—whether sunlight, fluorescent lights, or even the light from a computer screen—feel overwhelming.
Photophobia is not necessarily a problem with the eyes themselves. The discomfort typically comes from how the brain processes light signals from the eyes. It can be linked to various underlying conditions, including migraines, dry eyes, and certain neurological conditions.
What are the symptoms of photophobia?
What is the treatment or ways to reduce symptoms of photophobia?
How common is photophobia?
Photophobia is not rare and can occur in individuals with conditions such as migraines or concussion, but it’s often underreported.
Photophobia can develop at any age, but it’s commonly reported in adolescents and adults who suffer from conditions like migraines or eye strain. Photophobia can also be a temporary effect from conditions like pink eye or a scratched cornea.
Heterochromia is a rare eye condition where an individual has two differently colored eyes or two different colored sections of the same eye. There are two types of heterochromia:
What are the symptoms of heterochromia?
Heterochromia is typically harmless and does not require treatment. However, if it develops suddenly or is associated with other symptoms like vision problems, an eye doctor may need to investigate further.
How common is heterochromia?
Heterochromia is extremely rare. It occurs in only about 1 in 1,000 people, with sectoral heterochromia being more common than complete heterochromia.
When does heterochromia typically appear?
The condition is often congenital (present at birth), but it can develop later in life due to trauma, disease, or medication side effects.
Kaleidoscope vision refers to the visual distortion where a person sees their world as fragmented or colorful in odd patterns. Kaleidoscope vision often accompanies migraines or certain eye conditions, such as retinal disorders.
This eye condition doesn’t mean the person is seeing literal kaleidoscope patterns, but rather that the brain is misinterpreting visual signals due to a disruption in the visual system.
What are the symptoms of kaleidoscope vision?
What is the treatment or ways to reduce symptoms of kaleidoscope vision?
Kaleidoscope vision is often associated with migraines and can affect up to 25% of people who experience migraines. It is relatively rare for those without a history of migraines. However, if kaleidoscope vision has suddenly appeared with no prior history, it could be a sign of something more serious like a brain injury or stroke.
Kaleidoscope vision most often appears in individuals between the ages of 18 and 45, particularly in those who have a history of migraines.
Polycoria is an extremely rare eye condition where an individual has more than one pupil in the same eye. Polycoria can cause blurry vision and sensitivity to light due to the irregular shape and function of the eye. The extra pupils often do not function properly, leading to distorted or impaired vision.
What are the symptoms of polycoria?
What is the treatment or ways to reduce symptoms?
There is no direct treatment for polycoria, but individuals can manage the condition by:
How common is polycoria?
Polycoria is an exceedingly rare condition—there are fewer than 100 documented instances worldwide.
Polycoria is usually present from birth. However, it can sometimes develop after trauma to the eye or as part of certain syndromes.
Achromatopsia is a rare genetic condition affecting the color-detecting cells (cones) in the eye. With achromatopsia, a person is unable to perceive any color and only sees in shades of gray, black, and white. It is different from typical color blindness in that it often involves sensitivity to light and reduced visual sharpness.
What are the symptoms of achromatopsia?
What is the treatment or ways to reduce symptoms of achromatopsia?
There is no cure for achromatopsia, but management strategies include:
How common is achromatopsia?
Achromatopsia is rare, affecting approximately 1 in 30,000 people globally, and is typically present from birth.
Conclusion
These lesser-known eye conditions may not be very common but they can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Understanding their symptoms, causes, and available treatments is essential for better managing and living with these rare eye conditions.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any unusual changes in vision, it's always a good idea to consult an eye care professional for a comprehensive evaluation. Your eye health journey can be simpler with a vision insurance plan that offers comprehensive coverage. The VSP® Individual Plan Selector is a quick and easy way to find the right vision plan and connect you to their large network of vision providers.
Information received through VSP Vision Care’s social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon is Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vison Care where she helps drive strategic initiatives aimed at raising awareness about vision, eye health and its connection to overall wellness, while providing insight into medical advancements that seek to benefit patient care. She also provides oversight of VSP programs to address gaps in care for some of the most high-risk populations, including those living with diabetes.
With more than two decades of experience as a Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Sheety-Pilon has dedicated much of her time to clinical research across numerous ophthalmic subspecialties and has an established history of helping patients through novel therapeutic agents and clinical adoption of transformative technology in the areas of digital health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Prior to joining VSP Vision in 2019, Dr. Sheety-Pilon served as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Illinois College of Optometry, held various executive positions within the eye health industry, and has extensive experience managing and practicing within an ophthalmology and optometry practice.
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