Eye Health
Common Eye Conditions: Astigmatism, Cataract, Conjunctivitis, Glaucoma, Long sightedness and short sightedness.
Astigmatism
Normally light is refracted to produce a clear image on your retina; if the curvature is not completely round, then refraction can differ in different directions, which can cause a somewhat distorted retinal image.
Cataract
Can be best described as a cloudiness in the lens of the eye which will interfere with the quality of light reaching the retina.Treatment may include spectacles and contact lenses, but occasionally surgery may be needed.
Conjunctivitis
Sometimes referred to as pink or red eye, an infection which is commonly caused by allergic, viral or bacterial reactions. Different treatments are necessary depending on the cause, but be aware that it can be contagious.
Glaucoma
A result of a build-up of pressure in the eye, which in turn can lead to damage of the optic nerve. Treatment can be very effective, particularly when diagnosed early with medication or eye drops. However, loss of vision caused before treatment cannot be restored and is a reason why an eye examination is recommended.
Long-sightedness
When light is focussed at a point behind the retina, due to the shape of the eye itself, correction is necessary to ensure that focussing occurs properly. Without correction, re-focussing in an attempt to see more clearly, can lead to headaches and eye strain, particularly when undertaking close work such as computer use.
Short-sightedness
not surprisingly in contrast to long-sightedness – light is focussed in front, rather than on the retina and your distance vision will likely be blurred. Ordinarily, you will not experience any problems when undertaking close work like reading or perhaps computer use, but you may require spectacles to be worn all or most of the time.
The foregoing is by no means an exhaustive list of eye problems, but is does indicate some of the more common that we experience on a regular basis.