A Summary of the Some of the Most Common Vision Problems

This article contains a very concise summary of some of the most common vision problems and vision disorders. The intent of this page is to define and summarize some of the most common vision problems only.

Visual Acuity defines how well you can see at what distance. Twenty-twenty vision (20/20) simply means that, at 20 feet, a person can see what a person with normal vision can see at 20 feet. 20/80 means that a person can see at 80 feet what a person with normal vision sees at 20 feet.

Refractive errors include:

Myopia, or nearsightedness, which is defined as seeing better at close range than at a distance
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, which is defined as seeing better at a distance than close up
Astigmatism is an uneven curve in the eye's cornea causing distortion or blurring of images at all distances.

Presbyopia is an age related vision problem that causes near objects to be blurred and makes seeing objects at close range difficult.

Take Action: More serious vision problems that require professional treatment.

Glaucoma is caused when there is too much pressure on the inside of the eyeball. A normal eye is filled with fluid that the body replaces on a regular basis. Glaucoma is caused when new fluid comes in faster than old fluid can drain out, often because the drainage path is blocked. As pressure builds in the eye, blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve is cut off. The result of this is damaged vision or blindness.

When you have an eye exam, you should be given a glaucoma test in which a machine sends a puff of air toward your eye.

Cataracts. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye. It can happen in one eye or both eyes, and in most instances develops with age. Young people can also have cataracts, although in this case it is usually the result of an injury, eye infection or disease.

Looking through a cataract is like seeing the world through a gray fog or mist. Over time, cataracts tend to grow worse. When the cataract starts to interfere with a person's vision enough to reduce his or her quality of life, surgery is usually recommended. he surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with something similar to a permanent contact lens.

Cataract surgery has become very common and is almost always successful. Cataracts no longer have to lead to permanent loss of sight.

Macular Degeneration. There is an area in the retina that contains a great number of rod and cone cells called the macula, which allows you to see fine details such as small print or a the eye of a needle. As people age, the macula sometimes breaks down, which causes them to lose sight in the center of their field of vision. Macular degeneration is painless and develops slowly.

In some cases nutrition and supplementation can help prevent vision loss from macular degeneration. As stated above this condition requires action and you should consult with and follow the recommendations of your eye care professional - or preferably eye care professionals.

Additional Site References:

Color Contacts : Disposable Contacts

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This article is for informational purposes only. For additional information regarding the latest advancements in this area, consult with a qualified eye care specialist. Any and all materials provided on this web site are for information purposes only. Have your eyes examined regularly and always follow your eye care professional's instructions for the proper use and care of your contact lenses.