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Vision Problems

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia (commonly referred to as nearsightedness) refers to vision that is good at close range but not at distance. It generally occurs because the eyeball is longer than average and/or the cornea has a steeper curvature.

Nearsightedness is diagnosed during routine eye exams and possible treatments include eyeglasses, contacts, and refractive surgery.  Your doctor will suggest the best treatment option(s) for you.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Hyperopia (commonly referred to as farsightedness) refers to vision that is good at distance but not at close range. Farsightedness occurs when the eyeball is shorter than average and/or when the cornea has a flatter curvature.

If you are mildly farsighted, you may not need any corrective treatment. However, if you are moderately or severely hyperopic, possible treatment options include eyeglasses, contacts, and refractive surgery. Your doctor will determine the best treatment option(s) for you.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is an uneven or irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, which results in blurred or distorted vision. Other symptoms of astigmatism include wanting to squint to see better, eye strain from squinting, headaches, and eye fatigue.

In reality, most people have some degree of astigmatism. In minor cases, treatment may not be required but is certainly beneficial. Moderate to severe astigmatism can be treated with eyeglasses, contacts, or refractive surgery.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is due to aging, in which the lens of the eye gradually loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus clearly on close objects such as printed words.

Unfortunately, presbyopia is an inevitable part of aging and cannot be prevented by diet, lifestyle, or visual habits. However, it is treatable with several types of corrective lenses including progressives, bifocals and trifocals, single-vision reading glasses, multifocal contact lenses and monovision contact lenses.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome is characterized by blurry vision, eyestrain, watery or dry eyes, headache, and neck or back pain when working in front of a computer screen. The symptoms are typically due to poorly corrected vision, eye muscle coordination issues, dry eyes, and/or  poor posture.

Since computer monitors are typically 20 to 26 inches from your eyes, your regular glasses may not be the best option for computer work. This distance range is considered intermediate – closer than what you use to drive a car but farther away than what you use to read. Special lens designs for computer work provide you with a larger intermediate area for viewing the computer and your immediate work area like the top of your desk. Summit Eye Clinic can help you determine if these special lenses are appropriate for you.

Strabismus

Strabismus (commonly referred to as cross eye or an eye turn) is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned. It commonly occurs when the muscles that control eye movement are not properly working together. The result is one or both eyes turning inward, outward, upward or downward, or one or both eyes moving irregularly.

Strabismus is usually diagnosed during childhood and affects about 4 percent of children. Though it cannot be prevented, its complications can be avoided with early intervention. Even if you notice symptoms intermittently – for example, when your child is stressed or fatigued – it is important to have it evaluated promptly.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia (commonly referred to as lazy eye) is a loss or lack of development of vision, usually in one eye.  To achieve the best prognosis, lazy eye needs to be diagnosed and treated between birth and early school age since it is during this critical developmental period that the brain “chooses” its visual pathway.  If not treated, the brain may ignore the weaker eye leading to permanent poor vision.

Lazy eye is not always easy to recognize since a child with poor vision in just one eye may not notice blurry vision. Because of this, it is recommended that all children, including those with no symptoms, have a comprehensive eye examination by the age of three and sooner if there is a family history of any eye condition or disease. If you suspect a problem, or need to set up your child’s first eye examination, contact us today.