THE OPTOMETRIST YOU DESERVE
FAQ
TOP 7 QUESTIONS WE HEAR FROM PATIENTS
1 What is nearsightedness?
If you are nearsighted also known as myopic, distant objects are blurred while near objects are seen clearly. The reason for this is too much focusing power, either because your cornea is excessively curved, or the eyeball is longer then noral. To have normal vision, the light rays entering the eye must be focused on the retina. However, in the case of myopia, the light rays are focused in front of the retina. The brain then receives blurry images of objects, which leads to blurry vision when looking at the distance.
2 What is farsightedness?
Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is when near objects are blurred, while distant objects are seen clearly. You have either a smaller than normal eyeball or insufficient curvature of the cornea, leading to decreased focusing power of the eye. Light rays entering your eye come into focus behind the retina, instead of focusing on the retina, where normal vision are retrieved, sending blurred messages to the brain. The brain interpreter the near objects now as blurred, and distant objects as clear.
3 What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is the inability of your eye to focus clearly at any distance because your cornea is not symmetrical. The cornea is the transparent round central surface that covers the coloured iris and the black pupil. It is shaped like a rugby ball instead of a soccer ball, thus the one meridian is more curved than the other. Blurry messages are send to the brain at any distance, leading to headaches, eyestrain, red eyes and fatigue if not corrected. Astigmatism is often associated with hyperopia or myopia, and can be corrected either with spectacle lenses or contact lenses.
4 What is a cataract?
The crystalline lens, situated inside the eye, is the focusing mechanism of the eye. As we age, this clear lens becomes cloudy and yellow and loses its ability to change focus. This condition is called a cataract, and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The result is a general dimming of vision. A cataract may be slow to develop but once it appears, it almost always continues to become cloudier.
There is no known treatment such as diet, exercise, eye drops or laser technology to prevent formation or to cure a cataract. When it has developed, the only way to restore normal vision is surgical removal of the lens, through a small surgical stab incision and replacement with a permanent implant. Once a cataract has been removed, it will not come back.
Cataract removal is probably one of the most successful operations done on the human body, and no person should feel frightened if they are developing cataracts. For the first few days after cataract surgery, the eye may be red and sensitive, but full recovery usually takes about four weeks.
SOURCE: http://www.visionviewoptometrist.com/faq.php#eye1
5 I am pregnant, how is my vision affected?
During pregnancy, a woman's body changes drastically to prepare for the birth of her child. Temporary eye conditions, due to an increase in hormones, can occur but vision returns almost to normal after delivery.
Symptoms can include:
•Reduced tolerance for wearing contact lenses
•Increases dryness
•Blurred and distorted vision
•Tunnel vision
6 Why do I need reading glasses?
As we get older, regardless of whether or not we have always had normal vision or have suffered from myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, a natural age-related process steps in that affects everyone. When you go past the age of 40-50, the lens inside your eye loses its elasticity and cannot accommodate any more. Accommodate means it becomes difficult to focus on objects that are close at hand. Holding reading material at arms length, we temporarily compensate for this problem, however for this condition, called presbyopia, you normally need reading glasses.
7 Can I wear contact lenses?
Contact lens technology had advance greatly in recent years, giving people freedom, comfort and choice. Today, almost all refractive errors can be corrected with contact lenses. There are essentially two types of lenses, hard and soft. Soft lenses consist of disposables lenses (worn either daily, two weekly or monthly) and conventional lenses (usually worn for a year). Hard contact lenses can be worn for longer periods than soft lenses. However the fitting of hard lenses has decreased, due to patient adaptation period, cleaning regime, fitting time and comfortability. Unlike glasses, a long contact lenses need special care to retain efficiency.
•Contact lenses require er initial examination and more frequent follow-up visits to maintain eye health; and more time for lens care
•To wear your lenses successfully, you will have to clean and store them properly; adhere to lens wearing schedules; and make appointments for follow-up care
•If you are wearing disposables, you will have to carefully follow the schedule for throwing away used lenses
8 How often should I test my eyes
A full eye examination should be done at least every 2 years. However, in some circumstances, they may require more frequent tests; for example if a child is wearing glasses or if you have diabetes.