COMMON VISION PROBLEMS

Normal vision occurs as light rays are bent, or refracted, by the cornea and lens so they can be focused on the retina. The retina is the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina receives the picture formed by the light rays and sends the image to the brain through the optic nerve.

The most common vision problems involve refractive errors. These eye disorders can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses and include:

nearsightedness
farsightedness
astigmatism or distorted vision and
the loss of close reading vision

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a vision condition that allows clear viewing of near objects, but distant objects are out of focus. It occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (covering of the eye) has too much curvature. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina instead of directly on the surface. A sign of nearsightedness may be having to squint to see road signs clearly. A school age child may not be able to read the chalkboard at school or to watch TV without sitting very close.

Nearsightedness may be hereditary or possibly caused by the stress of too much close work. It is often discovered when children are 8 to 12 years old. Nearsightedness usually worsens during the teen years and then levels off in the twenties. Nearsightedness may be helped with corrective lenses or Lasik surgery.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a vision condition that allows clear viewing of distant objects, but close objects are out of focus. It occurs if the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature. This causes light rays to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. Some signs of farsightedness include blurry vision when looking at objects up close, not being able to clearly read close, eyestrain, fatigue, Aching or burning eyes, and headaches after close work.

Often babies are born with a slight farsightedness that clears up as they grow and their eyes become longer. Children with farsightedness may not be interested in reading. They may have trouble concentrating because they cannot keep close objects in focus. They may have headaches or burning eyes. Farsightedness may be helped with corrective lenses or Lasik surgery.

Astigmatism is vision that is distorted or blurred. With this vision problem, the normally round cornea is not round. Astigmatism causes far and near vision to be distorted and blurry. Mild astigmatism may develop at any time in life and may not require corrective lenses. Severe astigmatism is usually inherited and remains unchanged throughout life. It requires correction with glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes contacts are better for helping astigmatism than glasses. Astigmatism may also be treated with Lasik surgery.

Presbyopia is a farsighted condition that occurs as a natural part of the aging process, noticeable in the early to mid-forties. A loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye results in an inability to bring close objects into focus. Everyone develops presbyopia, which continues to worsen with age. Some signs of presbyopia include blurred vision at normal reading distance, the tendency to hold things at arm's length to read them, as well as, eye fatigue and headaches when doing close work. There is no known treatment that prevents or alters the progress of presbyopia as one ages. Contacts are sometimes used for presbyopia, but it is often easier for people with contacts to wear reading glasses that magnify objects and bring them into focus for reading and clear viewing.

Periodic eyewear changes may be necessary to maintain clear and comfortable vision. Eyewear might be contacts or glasses. Depending on individual needs, prescription lenses may include bifocals or trifocals to correct vision. Bifocals have 2 prescriptions in each lens and trifocals have 3 prescriptions in each lens. Bifocals and trifocals are prescribed when a person has 2 or 3 vision problems to correct.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File EYES4503.RF2 VRS# 4503 Data Version 7.0