Answers
to your questions about common vision conditions
What is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness (myopia) vision condition in which you can usually
see close or near objects clearly, but cannot see distant ones
as clearly.
What is farsightedness?
Farsightedness (hyperopis) is a vision condition in which distant
objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones appear blurred.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a vision condition in which light entering the
eye is unable to be brought to a single focus, resulting in
vision being blurred at all distances.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a vision condition that occurs when the crystalline
lens of the eye gradually loses its ability to bring close objects
into clear focus. It usually becomes noticeable when you reach
your early-to-mid-forties and is a natural part of aging.
How are these vision conditions treated?
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
are all treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. In recent
years, a number of options to surgically alter the shape of
the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to correct nearsightedness
and low to moderate astigmatism have been developed. These include
radial keratotomy (PRK). There is also a procedure called orthokeratology
which uses a series of rigid contacts lenses to provide improved
vision for significant periods of time for some people with
nearsightedness or astigmatism. Your doctor of optometry can
help you decide if these options are right for you.
What is amblyopia?
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the loss or lack of the full development
of vision in one eye that is not fully correctable with lenses
and is not the result of any identifiable eye health problem.
Amblyopia is usually due to conditions such as crossed-eyes
(strabismus) or a large difference in the refractive error between
the two eyes.
How is amblyopia treated?
In young children, patching the good eye may help the amblyopic
eye to improve. In addition, to help improve vision function,
vision therapy techniques may be used. Eyeglasses or contact
lenses may be prescribed to correct any refractive errors.
What are crossed-eyes?
Strabismus (crossed-eyes) is a vision condition in which your
eyes are not properly aligned with eachother. One or both eyes
may alternately turn in esotropia), out (exotropia), up (hypertopia)
or down (hypotropia).
How are crossed-eyes treated?
Treatment of crossed-eyes often includes use of eyeglasses,
prisms and vision therapy. In some cases, surgery may be needed.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease in which the fluid pressure in your eyeball
increases and damages the optic nerve. This damage can cause
severe vision loss and even blindness, if untreated.
How is glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma can generally be effectively controlled with prescription
eye drops or other medicines which reduce the pressure in the
eye. In some cases, laser procedures or surgery may be needed.
What are cataracts?
If the normally clear lens in your eye becomes cloudy, it is
called cataracts. As the lenses become cloudy, vision becomes
blurred and/or distorted.
How are cataracts treated?
Eyeglasses or contact lenses can be prescribed to provide clearer
vision until cataracts develop to the point that they impair
vision. Then they need to be removed surgically.
During this surgery, an intraocular lens is usually implanted
to replace you natural cloudy lens. In addition, contact lenses
or eyeglasses are often still needed to fully restore vision.
American Optometric Association
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