Eye Vision Problems

Eye vision problems occur when there is something amiss with the normal function of the eyes. So how does the human eye work? The function of the eyes is analogous to the working of a camera. Incoming light rays from any object when pass through the lens of the camera, get recorded on a film or a computer chip. In the same fashion, incoming light rays from an object which reach the eye are bent by the system of the eye lenses and finally fall precisely on the retina. Retina is where the image of the object is formed or recorded, but in an upside down manner. This image is reduced and sent to the visual center of the brains via the optic nerve. This is when the upside down image is interpreted in by the brain in a way so that we see things the way they are.

So, as I said, when there is something amiss in the normal function of the eyes, eye vision problems start cropping up. This amiss, in short, occurs when the incoming light rays are not able to make their way to reach the retina. The concept will be clearer as you come to know about the most common types of eye vision problems, described in the following section.

Myopia or Nearsightedness

Myopia is one of the common eye vision problems which is mostly seen in teenagers and children. Here, the affected person is able to have a clear view of near objects, but not for the ones which are far away. Thus, the person becomes nearsighted and that is why the condition is known as nearsightedness. In this condition, what happens is, the light is focused in front of the retina, resulting in a blurry image for a distant object. This eye vision problem occurs if the eyeball of the person is too long or the cornea (the transparent dome-shaped anterior portion of the outer covering of the eye; it covers the iris and pupil and is continuous with the sclera) is too steep. This results in the image being focused in the vitreous humor, rather than on the retina. This disorder of the eye can be corrected by the use of corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses. These lenses have a negative optical power, meaning they are concave lenses and they help to focus the image on the retina. People may also opt for surgery in order to fix the problem.

The next common one among the eye vision problems is hypermetropia. A person who can see far objects clearly and have a blurry vision of near objects, is said to suffer from farsightedness. Here, the image is focused at a point behind the retina. This occurs when the eye is shorter than normal or the cornea is too flat. This condition is usually present right from birth and tends to run in families. Use of convex lenses in eyeglasses or contact lenses, is generally recommended to correct this vision problem. Treatment is not usually required for most young people, as the lenses of their eyes are flexible enough to compensate for the condition. However, for elderly patients, the lenses are less flexible and thus, they require corrective lenses to improve the vision. Just like in the cases of myopia, people can go for surgery even in this case.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is defined as an eye vision problem wherein, the person experiences blurry vision at all distances. If the surface curvature of the cornea or the lens is slightly different in one direction from the other, it may result in astigmatism. In other words, irregular shape (uneven or unsmooth surfaces) of the cornea or the lens prevent light to focus properly on the retina. The blurred vision experience in this condition may occur more in one direction; either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. It can occur with other eye vision problems such as with other vision conditions like nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hypermetropia). Eyeglasses, contact lenses or by the help or refractive surgery, are used in order to rectify astigmatism. Read more on dark spots in vision.

Presbyopia

Among the eye vision problems, presbyopia is a condition that comes with increasing age and thus, can be regarded as a symptom caused by normal course of aging. It starts setting in people in their early to mid-40s. This condition is indicative of the gradually losing ability of the eyes to focus on nearby objects. With increasing, the lens of the eyes becomes harder and becomes less flexible and this makes the close-up images go out of focus. Treatment generally consists of prescription reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, bifocal contact lenses, monovision contact lenses and modified monovision technique. Apart from this, there are other options such as refractive surgery and lens implants.

Other eye vision problems, apart from these common ones include floaters (spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens), blind spots also known as scotoma (an isolated area of diminished vision within the visual field) and halos around lights. Eye vision problems during pregnancy may have possible occurrence due to hormonal changes. Some women may experience blurred vision and seeing spots and these symptoms may be indicative of something serious and hence should be discussed with the doctors. Vision problems may occur in one or both the eyes and so may become left eye vision problems or right eye vision problems or
both.

Regular eye check up, inculcating a balanced diet and keeping eyes from getting too much strained, may help to prevent or reduce the severity of eye vision problems. So, take care of your eyes, keep them healthy and beautiful!