Do you know if you’re nearsighted? Farsighted? And do you know the difference between the two? Whether you’re getting ready for a check-up or getting ready for your first visit to the eye doctor, read below to familiarize yourself with common sight conditions to prepare for your visit.
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is an eye condition in which you can see nearby objects clearly, but faraway objects appear fuzzy or blurry. Nearsightedness belongs to a category of eye conditions known as refractive errors. Refractive errors occur when the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in a blurred image.
Corrective treatments for nearsightedness include:
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is another type of refractive error. Hyperopia occurs when close-up objects look blurry. You can be farsighted at varying degrees, depending on your eyes’ ability to focus on close-up objects. If you can only clearly see objects that are very far away, you’re severely farsighted.
The following treatments are available for farsightedness:
Astigmatism, a third type of refractive error, is a common vision problem caused by an error in the shape of the cornea that causes blurry, fuzzy, or distorted vision. There are two different types of astigmatism, corneal and lenticular. Corneal astigmatism happens when your cornea is misshapen, whereas lenticular astigmatism happens when your lens is misshapen.
Though your astigmatism may not require treatment, ask your provider about the following if you feel it is causing you problems with your vision:
Surgery: If you have a severe case of astigmatism, your doctor may recommend refractive surgery, which involves using lasers or small knives to reshape your cornea. This will permanently correct your astigmatism.
If you feel you or your child may be suffering from refractive errors of the kind described above, make sure to reach out to an optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. With a proper examination, you and your optometrist can proceed to determine which treatment options work best for you and your lifestyle.