Before anyone can talk about glasses, contacts or vision correction, it helps to know what is actually blurring your vision. The National Eye Institute calls these problems refractive errors, and they are the most common vision problem in the country.
How a healthy eye focuses
Light enters through the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, and passes through the lens behind the pupil. Together they bend (refract) the light so it lands in sharp focus on the retina at the back of the eye. If the eyeball is a little too long or too short, if the cornea is shaped unevenly, or if the lens stiffens with age, the light focuses in the wrong place, and things look blurry.
The four common types
- Nearsightedness (myopia). Distant things are blurry; close things are clearer. It usually starts in childhood, often when the eyeball grows a bit too long.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia). Close things are blurry. Younger people can sometimes compensate by focusing harder, which can cause eye strain and headaches.
- Astigmatism. The cornea or lens is curved more in one direction than another, so things near and far can look blurry or stretched.
- Presbyopia. The lens gradually loses flexibility, making it hard to focus up close. The NEI notes it is common in adults 45 and older. It is why so many people start holding the menu at arm’s length.
Signs you might have one
Blurry vision is the most common sign. Others include squinting, double or hazy vision, glare or halos around lights, headaches, eye strain, and trouble focusing when reading or using a computer. The NEI points out that some people do not notice symptoms at all, especially children, who may not realize the board should look sharper.
How refractive errors are corrected
The NEI describes three approaches: eyeglasses, which are the simplest and safest; contact lenses; and surgery that changes how the eye focuses. Which one is best depends on your eyes, your prescription, and your daily life, and that is a conversation for an exam.
Do not skip the exam
Refractive errors often run in families. If you or your children are squinting, getting headaches, or struggling to read, schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Call our Westlake Village office at (805) 230-2126.
Source: Refractive Errors (National Eye Institute (NIH)). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.