Eye Conditions

How your eyes work




Our eye is like a camera, focusing the light that enters the eye to form a clear 
 image on the retina. Most visual problems are caused by the way the cornea refracts 
 (or bends) the light. With an irregular cornea, that clear image cannot be formed correctly.


 


Myopia (nearsightedness)

Myopia occurs when people see near objects more clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it.


 


Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Hyperopia occurs when people see far away objects more clearly, but close objects appear blurry. This occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused behind the retina instead of directly on it.


 


Astigmatism

Astigmatism is the result of having two focal (focusing) points. Astigmatism usually comes in two forms: Corneal and Lenticular. Corneal astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball. Lenticular astigmatism occurs when the lens inside the eye is abnormally shaped.


 


Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the retina. However, as a result of the natural aging process, the lens gradually becomes cloudy and this blocks the passage of light through the eye causing distorted or blurred vision.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it difficult to see objects up close. Presbyopia is most commonly corrected with reading glasses and/or bifocal lenses. Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but the actual loss of flexibility takes place over a number of years. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process of the eye. It is not a disease, and it cannot be prevented.