Common Eye Conditions

• Symptoms: It can be difficult to detect lazy eye. A child may clearly favor one eye or tend to bump into objects on just one side. Only a comprehensive eye exam can determine the presence of a lazy eye. Early diagnosis at around six months of age and three years can prevent more serious issues from developing in the amblyopic eye.

• Treatment: Although amblyopia may not be corrected entirely, there are ways to strengthen the weaker eye, reduce the error and correct improper eye function. Treatment includes vision therapy, patches, glasses and in most cases, a combination of all three.

Astigmatism

A cornea with an irregular shape can cause the eye to focus objects on two separate areas of the retina. A dome-shaped cornea is necessary to correctly bend light, more rounded. Astigmatic corneas resemble a football shape. This abnormality causes a distorted view at a distance and near.

• Treatment: Mild astigmatism may cause eye strain or a headache, but in many cases, it doesn’t need to be corrected. Moderate to severe astigmatism can be fixed with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

CVS is a very common eye condition that affects 75 percent of computer users. It consists of a series of symptoms that arise with extended time in front of a digital screen.

• Symptoms: Signs of CVS include: eye strain, headaches, neck and backaches, eye irritation, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and double vision.

Emmetropia

When the eye’s optical power can focus an image perfectly on the retina, this is what is known as 20/20 vision. The medical term is emmetropia when there is no need for corrective lenses to see clearly at any length.

Hyperopia

The medical term for farsightedness is hyperopia. People with this common eye condition in Lambertville can focus on further away objects but have difficulty seeing anything very near. Hyperopia affects about 25 percent of the population and can lead to chronic glaucoma later in life.

• Treatment: Glasses or contact lenses can be worn to correct farsightedness. In addition, there are new surgical procedures to repair the error.

Myopia

Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness. It is a common eye condition where patients see objects clearly up close but can’t focus on objects further away. Myopia usually presents in early childhood, but it sometimes develops in young adulthood.