Common Eye Defects

The eye is one of the most critical parts of the body. It helps us see people, things and our surroundings which makes life easier and better for us. Eyes are very delicate organs which need proper attention and care to keep being fully functional.

At least 3 out of 10 people have a risk of getting eye defects, and when these defects come about, it is essential that they are understood so they can be recognized and addressed. Failure to treat eye defects can worsen the eyes and lead to partial or total blindness. Some common eye defects include:

Myopia:

Myopia, also known as shortsightedness, is an eye defect whereas the patient can only see objects that are closer and can hardly see objects which are far away. This inability to properly see objects in the distance is because the object forms in front of the retina and not on it as it is supposed to. To correct myopia, a diverging or concave lens can be used to help images form on the retina.

Hypermetropia:

Hypermetropia, also know as long-sightedness, is an eye defect whereas the patient has a better and clearer vision of objects from a distance but can hardly see objects which are closer. Long-sightedness occurs due to the fact that images form behind the retina instead of on it. To correct long-sightedness, converging or convex lenses can be used to help the image formed on the retina.

Astigmatism:

This eye defect causes a person's vision to become blurred or distorted to a level, from any viewpoint. It is one of the most popular eye defects. When a person has astigmatism, rays from light do not focus on the retina, which forms images. Instead, some of the rays of light focus on the retina while the remaining focus on the back. It can be corrected with the use of cylindrical lenses.

Cataract:

Cataract is an advanced eye defect which can result in total blindness. It is caused by cloudiness in the lens. Cataract can be caused by eye injuries, drinking, and smoking or change of protein of the lens. Unlike other eye defects, cataract is often removed through eye surgery.

For people who dislike the idea of using medicated eyeglasses, contact lenses are good substitutes to correct eye defects. Begin taking care of your eyes today!