Identifying Common Eye Issues
Your eyes are an organ, just like your heart, lungs and liver, and in order for them to perform at their optimum you need to look after them properly. There are several common eye issues that require you to wear glasses, and generally there are symptoms that present themselves to make you aware you need to consult an optometrist. If your eyes get tired quickly, feel uncomfortable or strained, or it is becoming increasingly hard to focus on objects far away or close up, it’s imperative that you address the situation and look after your eye health.
An eye with normal vision shouldn’t cause any visionary disturbances but if you start to notice changes in your eyesight, the chances are, you are suffering from one of the more common eye afflictions that can be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Short Sightedness (Myopia)
Short sightedness is a very common eye condition that causes objects in the distance to be blurry, whilst objects up close are clear. This condition can be very mild, but often worsens after puberty.
Signs of short sightedness can include:
- Finding it difficult to read objects that are far away (such as street signs)
- Needing to sit closer to the TV or computer
- Tired eyes
- Headaches caused by eyestrain
- The need to regularly rub your eyes
It’s estimated that 1 in 3 people suffers from short sightedness and this issue can generally be correct easily by wearing glasses.
Long Sightedness (Hyperopia)
Long sightedness affects your ability to see objects close up and they usually become blurry or unfocused. This type of vision problem is often referred to as a refractive error that causes objects in the distance to be completely clear, but to blur close up.
Causes of long sightedness can include:
- Age (when long sightedness is caused by age it is referred to as Presbyopia)
- Genetics
- Underlying medical conditions such as Diabetes
Long sightedness can be corrected with contact lenses or glasses and some patients may be candidates for laser surgery. In adults complications related to long sightedness are rare, but in extreme cases in children a lazy eye or squint may develop.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes distorted or blurred vision and falls into the same refractive errors category as short sightedness or long sightedness.
If astigmatism isn’t treated, you may suffer from these symptoms:
- Headaches
- Eyestrain and fatigue
- Difficulty focusing for long periods of time
Astigmatism presents itself in regular and irregular types, and regular astigmatism may be corrected with contact lenses or glasses. In some cases irregular astigmatism cannot be correct by wearing glasses, but it can be corrected with contact lenses. A simple eye test can determine whether not you are suffering from this eye issue.
Age Related Eye Issues
As you age, so too do your eyes, and after 40 there are a few very common issues that may crop up. Presbyopia is one condition; as are cataracts, age related macular degeneration (AMD), dry eye and glaucoma. Some of these conditions can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses and others with eye drops or gel. In rare cases a more serious eye condition may require surgery or similar.
Looking after your eyes and seeing an optometrist when you notice any vision changes is essential for good eye health, no matter what your age.
