Common Eye Conditions
Nearsightedness / Myopia
Myopia is a vision condition that causes a person to have difficulty seeing clearly at a distance. Near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects do not come into proper focus. The cause of this are light rays that are entering the eye are bent too much and focus ahead of the retina (the normal focusing point). When the rays spread out after compressing, they become scattered prior to reaching the retina causing blurry vision.
Nearsightedness is a common vision condition that normally occurs in school age children and affects about 30% of the population. As eyes continue to grow during childhood, Myopia usually occurs prior to the age of 20. An easy indication of nearsightedness in a child is squinting at distant objects such as a television, movie screen or chalkboard.
Although corrective lenses may need to be prescribed, they may only have to be worn for certain activities dependent upon the severity of the condition.
Myopia Sample
 
Farsightedness / Hyperopia
Hyperopia causes distant objects to be seen clearly but close objects are not brought into proper focus. People with this condition experience difficulty due to the corneas of their eyes being flat or smaller than normal in size. The condition causes rays of light to focus past the retina which causes a blurry appearance of images that are close. Individuals with this condition exert extra effort to obtain clear vision at a distance and even greater effort to see clearly at a closer distance. The additional effort put forth may cause tension, discomfort and fatigue.
Hyperopia is common in children who may outgrow the condition as their eyes enlarge. Unfortunately, routine vision screenings done in schools do not very often uncover this condition. Should this condition occur in unequal proportions to each eye and is not corrected, the result can be permanent "lazy eye".
Hyperopia Sample
Signs of Hyperopia include problems with concentration while attempting to focus on close objects, headaches after close up work, fatigue, eye strain, aching eyes, difficulty with reading, blurry vision and nervousness, irritability or tension after prolonged concentration.
Although in some cases the eyes may be able to compensate for this condition without the assistance of corrective lenses, more severe cases will require prescribed glasses or contacts.
Crossed Eyes / Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition where eyes are improperly aligned with each other causing double vision as the eyes are not focusing on the same object. The condition is often the result of the failure of the eye muscle development in their effort to coordinate the eyes to work together as a team in the first six years of life.
Children under the age of six years are the group most affected. Strabismus may appear prior to 21 months. A child will not outgrow this condition and, if left untreated, the condition may worsen. The condition rarely develops among adults.
This condition may be noticed by a slight wandering of one or both of a child's eyes. The initial double vision, over time, may cause the brain to ignore the image from one eye. This can result in the development of lazy eye.
Strabismus Sample
If diagnosed and treated early, this condition may be corrected
with effective results through the use of prescribed eyeglasses, vision therapy and/or prisms. It is possible that surgery may be required in some cases.
Astigmatism / Distorted Vision
Astigmatism may result in vision to be distorted, blurred or irregular at all distances. This is caused when the cornea (front surface/lens of the eye) or the lens inside the eye is irregularly shaped allowing the rays of light entering the eye to focus at two different points. This condition may occur by itself or with other conditions.
Although many people have some degree of astigmatism, it is individuals with moderate to highly astigmatic eye conditions that may require corrective lenses.
Severe cases of astigmatism will generally have blurred or distorted vision. More moderate cases may experience fatigue or headaches from eye strain or blurry vision at some distances.
Through prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses and regular optometric care, proper vision may be maintained.
Astigmatism Sample
Amblyopia
Amblyopia may result through the failure of using both eyes together. The brain tends to ignore one image in favour of the other if there is a large enough discrepancy in the level of nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes, or if eyes are crossed. As the brain favours one eye over the other when attempting to blurred or double vision, over time, the ignored eye becomes weaker from lack of use.
Children who have a tendency to bump into objects on one particular side or display a noticeable favouring of one eye over the other should be examined. Crossed eyes often accompanies Amblyopia.
Through a thorough eye examination, the presence of Amblyopia can be determined. The earlier Amblyopia is discovered, the greater the opportunity for a full recovery.
Amblyopia may be treated through prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses, vision therapy, prisms and, in some cases, the patching of the good eye to allow the weaker eye to develop.
Amblyopia Sample
Presbyopia
Computers & Eyes

Many individuals who work with computer monitors or video display terminals (VDTs) commonly experience blurry vision and an irritated and fatigued feeling after working for extended periods of time.

This may be the result of the way equipment and furnishings are used, however, it may also be the effects of a vision problem to some degree.

When headaches, blurred vision, eye strain, excessive blinking or squinting, eye irritation, double vision, excessive tears or dry eyes, or a pain in the eyes are experienced, a visit to the optometrist is in order.
Presbyopia is a vision condition where the crystalline lens of your eye loses its flexibility. The result condition may result in problems with focusing on close objects. When eye stops growing during the early teen years the lens continues to grow and produces more and more cells. Over time, the lens loses some of its elasticity resulting in the loss of some focusing ability. The decline of elasticity takes place over the course of a number of years, although it may appear to develop suddenly.
Presbyopia generally becomes evident to people in their early to mid-forties. This varies from individual to individual. People who have to hold reading material at arms length, have blurred vision at normal reading distance and experience eye fatigue along with headaches when attempting to do close work are showing signs of this condition.
To correct this vision condition, eyeglasses or contact lenses may have to be prescribed. Periodic changes in prescription lenses will be required to maintain correct vision.
To determine if you have any of the above conditions, schedule a comprehensive eye examination with our doctors.