Common Eye Conditions

 


​Myopia (shortsightedness)

In myopia, the length of the eye from front to back is greater than normal. Light rays focus in front of the retina (back of the eye)  instead of on the retina itself. Some myopia is also caused by the cornea (front surface) being steeper than average. Because most myopic eyes are longer than normal, the retina and optic nerve can become stretched, predisposing to a number of eye diseases such as retinal detachment, retinal tears and glaucoma. Fortunately, optometrists can now use myopia control methods in children to slow down progression from an early age and reduce the risk of complications later in life.

Symptoms : Blurry distance vision, unable to clearly see the board at school, squinting when looking in the distance.


Hyperopia (longsightedness)

In hyperopia (also called hypermetropia), the length of the eye is shorter than normal. Light rays focus behind the retina instead of on the retina. Some hyperopia is also due to the cornea (front surface) being flatter than average. 

Symptoms: Difficulty focussing at near (sometimes also at distance), eyeaches, frontal headaches.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is due to the refractive (light bending) surfaces of the eye, such as the cornea and lens, being non-spherical or oval, much like an Australian Rules football rather than a soccer ball. This causes light rays to be imprecisely focussed on the retina, often causing ghosting effects or blur around the edges of objects.

Symptoms: Blurry vision at both distance and near, increased light sensitivity.


Binocular Vision Disorders

This describes a range of conditions where the eyes do not work together as a unit, often due to weak or even overactive eye muscles, certain focussing problems, or with amblyopia (see below). There is a failure in sending a single and/or clear image to the brain. Symptoms can include eye ache, headache, dizziness, double vision, reading and near work avoidance, moving in very close to any near work and reduced reading speed.

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​Amblyopia

Amblyopia , often called 'lazy eye', occurs when one eye has a significantly greater focussing error than the other, or when it doesn't point straight(strabismus or 'squint') , or a combination of both. The brain will often suppress or 'ignore' images from this eye. Amblyopia needs to be identified early in children, so as to provide the best opportunity for visual improvement through various means such as spectacles, contact lenses, eye exercises and surgery. Symptoms may include closing one eye to avoid double vision, reduced eye-hand coordination and reduced depth perception. Not all children display symptoms however, which is why is it vital that all young children have an eye examination so as to identify any problems early.