Whitehouse Optometrists - Eye Conditions

Eye Conditions

Many people experience vision problems are a result of eye conditions. The four main eye conditions are very common and vision can easily be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. It is important to note that your vision changes through your lifetime and while some eye conditions are hereditary others can develop as a result of your lifestyle, health and the natural process of ageing.

Eye conditions are the result of refractive errors. For perfectly clear vision, the image of a viewed object is focused onto the retina at the back of your eye. The lens, as well as other parts of your eye, refracts light onto the retina like a camera refracts light onto film. If the image is not focused exactly on the retina then the image will be blurred just like an out-of-focus photograph.

There are four major refractive errors:

Myopia
Hyperopia
Presbyopia
Astigmatism

Solutions for your eye conditions are available at our optical store.

Types of Eye Conditions

Myopia

Myopia, commonly called short sightedness, is a condition in which light is focused in front of the retina, resulting in blurred vision. Shortsighted people can often see well at short distances but have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. They may have problems playing sport, reading road signs and recognising people from a distance.

Short sightedness is relatively common and easily addressed. Spectacles and contact lenses provide good distance vision for people with myopia. As vision of near objects can remain good in people with myopia, people will often not realise they are short sighted. An eye examination will reveal the problem and improved distance vision can make dramatic changes to your life and lifestyle.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia or long sightedness is a condition in which light is focused behind the retina. Hyperopia results from a weakness in the optical components of the eye and is experienced as blurred vision that is usually worse at short distances. People with hyperopia may experience discomfort or difficulty reading, working on a computer or doing detailed close work.

People with long sightedness may have good vision in the distance but may find their vision is blurry at short distances. Headaches and or eyestrain close work or reading may be an indication of hyperopia.

Most people are in fact a little hyperopic, however in cases where vision is significantly affected, spectacles, contact lenses and in some cases, surgery can improve close vision and comfort.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition in which the optical power of the eye varies according to the angle of light passing through it. People with astigmatism experience blurred vision at all distances.

Astigmatism is usually due to the shape of the cornea (the front surface of the eye). If the shape of the cornea varies over its surface the light that passes through the cornea to the retina will be bent by different amounts. This results in a blurred image as light is not focused clearly on the retina.

Studies published in the Archives of Ophthalmology have shown that as many as one in three children have some degree of astigmatism and although cases can be asymptomatic others can cause visual difficulties as well as difficulties concentrating, fatigue and migraines. Astigmatism also changes over time so it is important to contact an optometrist if your vision changes.

Astigmatism is easily corrected with spectacles and contact lenses. These can restore excellent vision, decrease fatigue and reduce discomfort associated with astigmatism such as headaches.

People with astigmatism experience blurred vision at all distances.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the gradual reduction in the amount that an eye can change its focus. It is caused by a variety of factors including the continued growth of the biological lens inside the eye and is part of the natural process of ageing.

Presbyopia is experienced by everyone in the population but is often first noticed during the ages of 40-50 and is experienced as eyestrain, difficulty seeing in dim light and problems focusing on small objects and/or fine print. As eyes change, people in this age group often find that they have to hold things further away to see them clearly.

The treatment of presbyopia depends on your lifestyle, interests and needs. At Whitehouse Optometrists your treatment is personalised. Not all lenses are the same and we have access to the latest technology sourced from the most advanced optical companies around the world.

Presbyopia can be corrected with spectacles specially designed for close work, in other words, reading glasses. A variety of lens options (bifocals, trifocals and multifocals) are available to cater for different cases and different lifestyles. Contact lenses can also be used to correct presbyopia.

Personalised treatment for patients with presbyopia at Whitehouse Optometrists.

Has your vision changed? Need more information? Make an appointment with Whitehouse Optometrists today!

Make an Appointment Today

Eye Conditions

Types of Eye Conditions

CITY STORE

ST LEONARDS STORE

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT