Posted by: Aker Kasten Eye Center in Eye Conditions on December 30, 2015
It can cause us alarm when we notice we aren’t seeing clearly. Maybe things we try to look at up close seem blurry; or maybe things we used to be able to see in the distance look fuzzy. Patients often come to see us with these kinds of complaints, and most of the time, these are signs of common vision trouble that we can easily diagnose and treat. So any time you’re concerned about your vision, see your doctor so he can see what’s the matter:
You might have myopia
When you’re nearsighted, things in the distance look blurry. You’re more likely to have myopia if:
• One or both of your parents have it
• You do lots of close-up work or reading
Nearsightedness can make it harder to:
• Drive
• Play sports
• See a blackboard
• Watch TV
Symptoms include:
• Blurry vision
• Squinting to see
• Tried eyes
• Headaches
To correct it, you can:
• Wear glasses
• Wear contacts
• Have corrective surgery
It usually develops in kids and teens, causing them to need a new prescription fairly often. But it can stabilize by the early 20s.
You might have hyperopia
When you’re farsighted, things close up look blurry. You’re more likely to have hyperopia if:
• One or both of your parents have it
• You have retinopathy
Far sightedness can make it harder to:
• Read
• Sew
• Apply make-up
• Remove a splinter
Symptoms include:
• Blurry vision, especially when it’s dark
• Holding a newspaper or book at arm’s length in order to read it
• Achy eyes
• Headaches
To correct it, you can:
• Wear glasses
• Wear contacts
It usually develops in childhood, but often, growing up corrects the problem.
You might have presbyopia
If you develop presbyopia, at about age 40, things close up begin to look blurry. It’s a natural part of aging to begin to lose the ability to focus on close objects.
You might have astigmatism
Your vision may be out of focus at any distance with this condition. It comes with similar symptoms and difficulties as the other common correctable vision problems.
Your doctor can diagnose your problem and put your mind at ease. Schedule an eye exam today by calling: (561) 338-7722.