Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are the most common vision problems. These conditions are often referred to as refractive errors.
Refractive errors occur because the shape of the eye prevents light passing through the cornea and the lens from focusing properly on the retina. The cornea and lens react to incoming light, or bend it, to focus light directly on the retina before being converted into messages that are sent to the brain. This entire process happens instantaneously. The brain then tells us what we see from the light that was focused on the retina.
Refractive errors can be caused by the shape of the eyeball, aging of the lens, and changes in the cornea shape. These conditions are so common that most people have or develop at least one of them in their lifetime.
A Closer Look Into Common Vision Problems
What’s Your Risk?
Both myopia and hyperopia commonly affect children and adults alike. In fact, refractive errors can also be inherited, which explains why siblings from one family may all be nearsighted.
Your risk for presbyopia begins at age 35.
Diagnosis
Refractive errors are diagnosed during dilated eye exams by your eye doctor at Stahl Eyecare . Signs or symptoms of a possible refractive error include hazy vision, double vision, headaches, eye strain, halos around bright lights, and squinting. A child who is nearsighted, for example, may struggle to see the blackboard in the classroom unless they are seated in the front row, whereas an adult may find themselves having to hold the newspaper at arm’s length to be able to read it.
This may sound surprising, but patients may not know they have a refractive error until it is diagnosed! Treatment options for refractive errors include prescription eyeglasses or contacts. Surgery also may be an option, such as LASIK refractive surgery.
1. Myopia/Nearsightedness
When a person has myopia, or nearsightedness, they are able to see objects close to them clearly, but struggle to see those far away. Instead of being focused directly on to the retina, light is focused in front of it, causing myopia.
2. Hyperopia/Farsightedness
Hyperopia, more commonly known as farsightedness, is another extremely common vision problem. People with this refractive error often have opposite vision strengths and weaknesses than those with myopia, or nearsightedness, allowing for clear vision for far away objects while those that are closer appear blurry. Others may report blurry vision for items far away and close.
3. Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a refractive error that occurs with age. As the lens loses the ability to change shape to the degree needed for close focusing, it causes difficulty when seeing objects up close.
4. Astigmatism
This condition is caused by light not being focused evenly on to the retina, where it should be for clear vision. As a result, images may appear to be stretched out and/or blurry.
If you think that you’re suffering from a common vision problem, schedule a consultation with one of the talented doctors at Stahl Eyecare today!
