Common Eye Conditions

In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most prevalent eye issues people face today, providing essential information for readers to understand, prevent, and manage these conditions. So, let’s embark on a journey to uncover the world of common eye problems.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

What is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that affects how well a person can see distant objects. Individuals with myopia can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This condition occurs when the eyeball is longer than normal or the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

Blurred Distant Vision: Individuals with myopia often experience blurred vision when trying to see objects in the distance, such as road signs or distant landmarks.
Squinting: Squinting is a common natural response to myopia. It temporarily changes the shape of the eye’s lens, helping to focus light on the retina and improve vision.
Eye Strain: Myopia can lead to eye strain, especially when trying to see distant objects for an extended period. This can result in discomfort, headaches, or tired eyes.
Difficulty Seeing the Board or Screen: Myopic individuals may have trouble seeing what’s displayed on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or screen in a classroom or office, particularly if they are sitting at a distance.
Difficulty Recognizing Faces from a Distance: Recognizing people or details from a distance can be challenging for individuals with myopia.
Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia): Some myopic individuals may experience increased sensitivity to bright lights or glare, which can be uncomfortable.
Difficulty Driving: Myopia can make it challenging to read road signs or see objects far ahead while driving, especially at night.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary in severity depending on the degree of myopia. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult an eye care professional for a comprehensive eye examination. They can diagnose myopia and recommend appropriate corrective measures, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, to improve vision and alleviate these symptoms.

How do you treat myopia?

Treating myopia typically involves the use of corrective lenses or refractive surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the degree of myopia, individual preferences, and the guidance of an eye care professional. Here are the common methods for treating myopia:

Glasses: Glasses are a common and effective way to correct myopia. A prescription from an eye care professional will specify the lenses needed to correct your nearsightedness. Glasses provide clear vision by refracting light directly onto the retina, compensating for the eye’s focusing problem.
Contact Lenses: Contact lenses are an alternative to eyeglasses and can provide a more natural field of vision. They come in various types, including soft and rigid gas-permeable lenses. Contact lenses are fitted to your specific prescription and should be used and cared for according to the guidance of your eye care professional.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Ortho-K is a non-surgical approach to myopia management. Special rigid contact lenses are worn overnight, reshaping the cornea temporarily. During the day, you can see clearly without the need for glasses or lenses. This method is often used in children to slow the progression of myopia.
Refractive Surgery: In cases of moderate to high myopia, refractive surgery may be an option. Procedures like LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) reshape the cornea permanently to improve vision. These surgeries require a consultation with a refractive surgeon to determine candidacy and discuss potential risks and benefits.
Regular Eye Examinations: Regardless of the chosen treatment method, regular eye examinations are essential to monitor the progression of myopia, especially in children. Early intervention and treatment adjustments can help manage myopia effectively.

It’s crucial to work closely with an eye care professional to determine the most suitable treatment for your myopia. They will consider your specific prescription, age, lifestyle, and any other individual factors to provide the best course of action to correct and manage your nearsightedness.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, is an eye condition in which distant objects are seen more clearly than nearby objects. It occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. This happens because the eyeball is typically too short or the cornea has too little curvature, resulting in light rays converging behind the retina.

What are the symptoms of hyperopia?

Some common symptoms of hyperopia include:

Blurred Near Vision: Farsighted individuals often experience difficulty seeing objects up close, such as when reading a book, working on a computer, or doing any close-up tasks.
Eyestrain: Straining the eyes to see up-close objects is a common symptom of hyperopia. This can lead to discomfort, headaches, or tired eyes, especially during tasks that require close visual focus.
Difficulty with Close Tasks: People with hyperopia may have trouble with activities that demand sharp near vision, like threading a needle or reading fine print.
Squinting: Squinting is a natural reaction to farsightedness. When individuals squint, they effectively reduce the amount of light entering the eye, which can improve their ability to see nearby objects more clearly.
Eye Fatigue: Hyperopia can lead to eye fatigue or strain, particularly if individuals spend extended periods doing close-up work without correction.
Asthenopia: Asthenopia is a term used to describe general eye discomfort, including symptoms like eye pain, burning, or a sensation of heaviness. These symptoms can be associated with hyperopia.

It’s important to note that the severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the degree of hyperopia. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult an eye care professional for a comprehensive eye examination.

How do you treat hyperopia?

The choice of treatment depends on the degree of hyperopia, individual preferences, and the guidance of an eye care professional. Here are the common methods for treating hyperopia:

Glasses: Glasses are a straightforward and effective way to correct hyperopia. A prescription from an eye care professional specifies the lenses needed to correct farsightedness. These lenses bend incoming light so that it focuses directly on the retina, improving near and distance vision.
Contact Lenses: Contact lenses provide an alternative to glasses and can offer a more natural field of vision. Soft contact lenses are commonly used to correct hyperopia, although rigid gas-permeable lenses are an option as well. Contact lenses are fitted to your specific prescription and should be used and cared for according to the guidance of your eye care professional.
Refractive Surgery: In cases of moderate to high hyperopia, refractive surgery may be an option. Procedures like LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) reshape the cornea to improve vision permanently. These surgeries require a consultation with a refractive surgeon to determine candidacy and discuss potential risks and benefits.
Reading Glasses: Some individuals with mild hyperopia may choose to use over-the-counter reading glasses for close-up tasks. Reading glasses are a simple and affordable solution for correcting mild farsightedness.
Bifocal or Progressive Lenses: These specialized eyeglasses or contact lenses have two or more prescription strengths in one lens. They can be used to correct both hyperopia and presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects due to age-related changes).

It’s essential to work closely with an eye care professional to determine the most suitable treatment for your hyperopia. They will consider your specific prescription, age, lifestyle, and any other individual factors to provide the best course of action to correct and manage your farsightedness.

Astigmatism

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error of the eye that causes blurred or distorted vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear, front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye has an irregular shape rather than being perfectly spherical. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted images at all distances.

What are the symptoms of Astigmatism?

The symptoms of astigmatism may include:

Blurred Vision: Blurred vision is the most common symptom of astigmatism. Objects at various distances can appear fuzzy or out of focus. Both near and distant vision can be affected.
Distorted or Wavy Vision: Astigmatism can cause objects to appear distorted or slightly bent. Straight lines may appear curved, and details may not appear as they should.
Eyestrain: Trying to compensate for astigmatism by squinting or straining the eyes to see more clearly can lead to eyestrain. This may result in discomfort, tiredness, or headaches, especially after prolonged visual tasks.
Difficulty with Night Vision: Astigmatism can worsen night vision. Glare, halos around lights, or double vision in low-light conditions are common complaints.
Difficulty Reading or Using a Computer: People with astigmatism may find it challenging to read, work on a computer, or engage in tasks that require focusing on objects up close.
Frequent Changes in Eyeglass Prescription: If you notice that your eyeglass prescription changes frequently, it might be an indication of astigmatism. Regular eye examinations are important to monitor and adjust the prescription as needed.

It’s important to recognize these symptoms and seek professional eye care to diagnose and correct astigmatism.

How do you treat Astigmatism?

Here are the common methods for treating astigmatism:

Glasses: Glasses are a simple and effective way to correct astigmatism. A prescription from an eye care professional specifies the lenses needed to correct the irregular shape of the cornea or lens, allowing light to focus properly on the retina. Glasses can provide clear vision for both near and distant objects.
Contact Lenses: Contact lenses, particularly toric contact lenses, are designed to correct astigmatism. These lenses have different powers in different meridians to compensate for the uneven curvature of the cornea. Contact lenses provide a more natural field of vision and are suitable for people with an active lifestyle.
Refractive Surgery: Refractive surgery may be an option for some individuals with astigmatism, particularly when the astigmatism is significant and stable. Procedures like LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) can reshape the cornea, correcting astigmatism and reducing the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive surgery should be discussed with an eye care professional to determine candidacy and discuss potential risks and benefits.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Ortho-K is a non-surgical approach that uses specially designed rigid contact lenses to reshape the cornea temporarily while you sleep. During the day, you can see clearly without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Ortho-K is often used to correct astigmatism in children and may also slow the progression of myopia.

It’s essential to work closely with an eye care professional to determine the most suitable treatment for your astigmatism.

Presbyopia

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on objects up close. It typically becomes noticeable in one’s 40s and progresses with age. Presbyopia occurs as a result of changes in the eye’s crystalline lens and its surrounding muscles, which make it difficult for the lens to change shape effectively for near focusing.

What are the symptoms of presbyopia?

The primary symptom of presbyopia is difficulty seeing objects up close. Some common symptoms of presbyopia include:

Difficulty Reading Small Print: People with presbyopia often find it challenging to read small print, such as the text in books, newspapers, or on a mobile phone or tablet.
Needing More Light: Individuals with presbyopia may require brighter lighting when doing close-up tasks to improve their ability to see clearly.
Holding Objects at Arm’s Length: To see objects up close more clearly, individuals with presbyopia tend to hold them at arm’s length. This can be observed when reading a book or looking at a menu, for example.
Eyestrain: Straining the eyes when trying to focus on close objects can lead to discomfort and eyestrain. This may result in headaches or tired eyes, especially after prolonged reading or other near tasks.
Difficulty with Fine Tasks: Tasks that require precise near vision, such as threading a needle or working on detailed crafts, become more challenging for those with presbyopia.
Blurred Vision at Close Range: Blurred vision is a common symptom of presbyopia when trying to focus on objects up close. This blurriness can make it difficult to see text clearly.
Near Vision Improvement in Good Lighting: Some individuals may notice that their near vision improves when they have ample light, but the difficulty persists in dimly lit environments.

It’s important to recognize these symptoms and seek professional eye care to diagnose and correct presbyopia.

How do you treat presbyopia?

Here are the common methods for treating presbyopia:

Reading Glasses: Reading glasses are a simple and effective way to correct presbyopia. They are available over-the-counter (OTC) or by prescription and are specifically designed to provide clear vision for close-up tasks. Reading glasses are convenient and suitable for many people with presbyopia.
Multifocal Glasses: Multifocal Glasses, also known as progressive or bifocal lenses, have two or more prescription strengths in one lens. These lenses allow clear vision for both near and distant objects, eliminating the need to switch between different pairs of glasses.
Contact Lenses: Multifocal contact lenses are available for those who prefer not to wear glasses. These lenses have different prescription strengths for near and distant vision. They provide clear vision at various distances and are suitable for individuals with presbyopia.
Monovision Contact Lenses: Monovision contact lenses involve correcting one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision. While it may take some adjustment, many people find this a suitable solution for presbyopia.
Refractive Surgery: Refractive surgery procedures, such as monovision LASIK or PRK, can be considered for those who want a surgical solution to correct presbyopia. These procedures reshape the cornea to improve near and distant vision.
Corneal Inlays: Some individuals with presbyopia may consider corneal inlays, which are small implants placed in the cornea to improve near vision. This is a surgical option that can be discussed with an eye care professional.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment to see our in-house opticians.

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The choice of treatment depends on the individual’s vision needs, lifestyle, and the guidance of an eye care professional.

Remember, regular eye examinations are essential to monitor and manage these conditions effectively, and working closely with an eye care professional is crucial to determine the most suitable treatment for your specific needs. By taking care of our vision, we can continue to enjoy the wonders of the world around us.