Understanding Vision Problems
There are many different types of vision problems that could be affecting your eyesight. For the purposes of this guide, we will focus on four of the most common causes of impaired vision: astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness, and presbyopia.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is characterized by an uneven or irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Other symptoms related to astigmatism include the need to squint, eye strain, headaches, and eye fatigue. In reality, most people have some degree of astigmatism, which is often present at birth and believed to be hereditary. While minor cases may not require treatment, addressing moderate to severe astigmatism can involve corrective eyewear or LASIK surgery.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
Farsightedness, known medically as hyperopia, is a condition where distant vision is clearer than close vision. This occurs when the eyeball is shorter than normal or when the cornea has insufficient curvature. As a result, light converges behind the retina, leading to visual difficulties. If your farsightedness is mild, your eye care provider may not recommend corrective measures. However, for those who are moderately or severely hyperopic, treatment options such as eyeglasses, contacts, LASIK, and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) may be available.
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the condition where nearby objects are seen clearly, but distant items appear blurry. This generally happens when the eyeball is too long. Myopia is diagnosed during routine eye exams, and potential treatments include eyeglasses, contacts, acrylic corneal implants, LASIK, radial keratotomy (RK), and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Your eye care provider will help determine the best treatment option for your individual needs.
Aging Eyes (Presbyopia)
Presbyopia, commonly referred to as aging eyes, is when the lens of the eye gradually loses flexibility, making it more difficult to focus on close objects, like printed text. Distance vision typically remains unaffected. Unfortunately, presbyopia is an unavoidable aspect of aging and cannot be prevented through diet or lifestyle changes. Fortunately, there are treatment options available, including progressive lenses, bifocals, trifocals, single-vision reading glasses, multifocal contact lenses, and monovision therapy.
Our team is dedicated to diagnosing your vision issue, whether it's astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness, or presbyopia, and will suggest the best treatment option for your eyes at our optometric office in Indianapolis. For more information, please schedule an appointment, and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.
