Hey there! Are you having trouble seeing clearly? Do you find yourself squinting at everything in sight? Well, you’re not alone! A lot of us struggle with vision problems, and it can be confusing to know exactly what’s going on with our eyes.
That’s why today I want to talk about the four most common types of vision problems: astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia, they’re also known as refractive errors.
Even if you’re not sure which one you have (or if you have one at all), don’t worry. We’re going to break it down in simple terms so you can understand what’s going on and what you can do to help yourself see clearly again!
What is Astigmatism and How Does it Affect Your Vision?
Astigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is irregularly shaped, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina. This leads to blurred or distorted vision, as the eyes are unable to properly refract light and focus it on a single point.
Astigmatism can occur alone or in conjunction with other refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. It affects people of all ages and genders and is typically corrected through the use of glasses, contacts, or surgery.
Who is at risk for astigmatism?
Astigmatism can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. However, some factors may increase the risk of developing astigmatism.
For example, genetics may play a role in the development of astigmatism, so individuals with a family history of the condition may be at a higher risk.
Also, environmental factors such as eye injuries, certain types of eye surgery, keratoconus, and progressive myopia can all increase the risk of astigmatism. Regular eye exams are important for detecting astigmatism early on, especially for those who are at a higher risk.
Most effective treatment for astigmatism
Here are some of the most effective treatments for astigmatism:
- Corrective lenses
Eyeglasses and contact lenses can help compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea or lens, improving vision by redirecting light in the correct manner. - Orthokeratology
This involves the use of special gas-permeable contact lenses designed to reshape the cornea while being worn at night. This effect can last for a full day after the lenses are removed, effectively correcting astigmatism temporarily. - Refractive surgery
Procedures like LASIK, PRK, or LASEK can reshape the cornea using a laser, improving the focus of light on the retina and correcting astigmatism. - Insertable lenses
Phakic intraocular lens is a new technology where contact lens-like devices are inserted into the eye and placed in front of the natural lens to improve vision.
It’s important to consult with a licensed eye care professional to determine which treatment option is best for you based on your individual needs and circumstances.
How to prevent having astigmatism?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent astigmatism. However, taking care of your eyes and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of developing astigmatism or other eye problems. Here are a few preventive measures you can take:
- Get regular eye exams
Having regular eye exams can help detect and correct vision problems early on. This helps prevent more serious eye problems from developing later on, such as astigmatism. - Protect your eyes
Protect your eyes from damage or injury by wearing protective eyewear when playing sports or performing activities that pose a risk of eye injury. - Take care of your overall health
Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help reduce your risk of certain eye disorders. - Properly use digital devices
prolonged use of digital devices such as smartphones, PCs, or tablets could cause eye strain that may lead to blurry vision. Be sure to use digital devices correctly so as to reduce the risk of causing astigmatism.
Myopia vs. Hyperopia: Understanding Near-Sightedness and Far-Sightedness
The main difference between myopia and hyperopia is how the eye focuses light. In myopia, the eye focuses light in front of the retina, while in hyperopia, the eye focuses light behind the retina.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, makes seeing distant objects difficult. It’s caused by an elongated eyeball or an overly curved cornea, which causes light to focus in front of instead of on the retina. Symptoms like headaches and eyestrain may occur, and myopia usually develops during childhood and adolescence. About 41.6 percent of Americans currently have myopia, which has increased from 25 percent in 1971.
Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a condition that makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. In hyperopia, the eye focuses light behind the retina instead of on it, causing objects up close to appear blurry. This happens because the eye is too short, or the cornea is too flat. Although present at birth, hyperopia may not become noticeable until later in life. Symptoms include difficulty reading and eye strain. Hyperopia affects approximately 5 to 10 percent of Americans.
Causes
Causes that are shared by both Myopia and Hyperopia.
- Genetics: genes are known to play a significant role in the development of myopia/hyperopia. Children are more likely to develop myopia/hyperopia if one or both parents have it.
- Age: myopia/hyperopia can sometimes develop or worsen with age.
Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Environmental factors: studies have shown that spending more time indoors under poor lighting or focusing on close-up work for extended periods of time can increase the risk of developing myopia. This is commonly seen in students and those working with computers for long hours.
- Eye conditions: some eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment can also increase the risk of myopia.
- Medical conditions: certain medical conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Down syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, have been linked to the development of myopia.
While it is not possible to prevent myopia, early detection and interventions such as regular eye exams, reducing the amount of time spent on close-up work, and wearing the correct lenses can help control or slow its progression.
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Eye growth: hyperopia can be caused by a short eyeball or a flat cornea. This results in light focusing behind the retina, causing near objects to appear blurry.
- Certain medical conditions: certain conditions, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and thyroid problems, can cause changes in vision and may contribute to the development of hyperopia.
- Eye injury or surgery: injuries or surgeries that affect the shape of the cornea or lens can also cause hyperopia.
Treatment for hyperopia typically involves prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK may be recommended. It’s important to regularly visit an eye care professional to detect and treat hyperopia, as well as other common eye conditions.
Treatment for Myopia and Hyperopia
Myopia and Hyperopia can both be treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK may be recommended, depending on the severity of the condition. When selecting a treatment it is important to consult an eye care professional who can provide advice on what will work best for each individual’s vision needs.
Presbyopia: What Happens to Our Eyes as We Age?
Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition that usually develops around the age of 40, in which the eyes become more difficult to focus on close objects. This occurs because the lens of the eye loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus light entering the eye. As a result, people with presbyopia often have difficulty seeing clearly up close and may require reading glasses or bifocals to see clearly.
Related: Subtle Eye Symptoms That Need Medical Attention
Diagnosis of Presbyopia
Presbyopia is usually diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, an optometrist or ophthalmologist will check your vision at different distances and use a refractometer to measure the ability of your eye lens to focus on objects close up. They may also use other tests, such as acuity testing and contrast sensitivity testing, to further evaluate your vision.
Common treatments for Presbyopia
- Eyeglasses
- Contact lenses
- Reading glasses
- Refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
Management of refractive errors
Refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can cause a range of vision issues. Managing them involves identifying the refractive error, along with any other eye diseases, and then determining the most appropriate treatment. This may include:
- Refraction is a comprehensive eye exam that determines an individual’s unique prescription. It can help to correct vision problems caused by refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
- Eyeglasses contain corrective lenses which help people to see more clearly by correcting refractive errors.
- Contact lenses are similar to eyeglasses in that they contain corrective lenses which help people to see more clearly by correcting refractive errors. They are often preferred over eyeglasses due to their convenience and comfort.
- Refractive surgery is a way of permanently reshaping the cornea with lasers so that it appropriately bends light entering the eye, eliminating or reducing the need for glasses or contacts. Different types of refractive surgery include LASIK, PRK, and RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange).
- Orthokeratology (corneal reshaping) involves wearing special gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to gradually reshape the curvature of the cornea, reducing nearsightedness and astigmatism without needing glasses or contact lenses during waking hours.
- Intraocular lenses (IOLs) including phakic intraocular lenses (PIOLs), and monovision are implanted into the eye in order to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses or contacts for certain activities like reading and driving at night, while not significantly affecting distance visual acuity. Monovision involves implanting one lens for near vision correction and another lens for far vision correction into opposite eyes in order to create clear blended vision at all distances without having difficulty adapting between them when needed.
