Many times, parents are hesitant to get their child contact lenses because they are concerned about their eye health and safety.

Below are commonly asked questions about children and contact lenses.

#1 When is a child ready for contact lenses?

Although even some babies are fitted with contact lenses, most optometrists feel that the best age to begin wearing contacts is between 10-12 years old.

There are two questions to consider before getting a child contact lenses:

1. Is my child showing signs of maturity and responsibility?
2. Does my child have good personal hygiene habits?

If the answer is yes to these two questions, then your child may be a great candidate for contact lenses.

A child’s motivation, as well as their maturity level, is a good indication of whether a child is ready to wear contact lenses. The willingness of a child to be responsible for contact lenses and the required hygiene regimen are just as important.

#2 What are the advantages of wearing contact lenses? 

Some of the benefits of  wearing contact lenses include:

• Clear vision without eyeglasses
• Enhanced feeling of ‘natural vision,’ especially if the child has a high prescription
• Increased self-esteem
• No risk of lost or damaged glasses
• Improved vision for sports:
  • Better peripheral vision
  • More stable vision
  • Reduced risk of eye injuries

Schedule an eye exam for contact lenses with an eye doctor near you who can help determine the best fit for your child.

SEE RELATED: Multifocal Contact Lenses for Children 

#3 What are the disadvantages of wearing contact lenses?

There are also some disadvantages of wearing contact lenses:

• Additional expenses
• Disinfecting and cleaning can be inconvenient
• There is a small risk of eye infections and scratches
• Lenses can fall out, get damaged, or lost during the day
• Higher frequency of visits to the eye doctor

#4 How can I prevent an eye infection from contact lenses?

By taking preventative measures, a child can minimize their risk of developing an infection by:

• Always washing hands with soap and water before inserting or removing contact lenses
• Replacing contact lenses as directed by your eye doctor
• Cleaning contact lenses and cases as directed by your doctor
• Keeping fingernails short and clean
• Attending all appointments with your eye doctor

#5 My child has astigmatism, are contact lenses an option?

Yes! Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped, causing a refractive error and blurry vision.

Recently, many styles and brands of contact lenses, called toric lenses, have been designed for patients with astigmatism. These lenses are available as daily, biweekly, and monthly replacement options.

Multifocal contact lenses that contain lens powers for astigmatism and near vision problems are also available, as well as lenses designed for overnight wear. There are also special order toric lenses that can essentially correct any amount of astigmatism.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you to determine if your child is ready for contacts, and to ask  any questions you and your child may have.

The post Contact Lenses and Children: Part 2 Q&A appeared first on Optometrists.org.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), 14.5 percent of all children under 17 years wear contact lenses.

Parents may have concerns about eye health and safety when it comes to contact lenses and their children. But there is no need to worry; contact lenses are just as safe for children as they are for adults.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to get your child fitted for the right kind of contact lenses.

SEE RELATED: Multifocal Contact Lenses for Children 

Children under 12 years old are most frequently prescribed daily disposable soft contact lenses. For children aged 12 and older, reusable contact lenses are also an option — these can be replaced every two weeks or monthly, depending on the type.

Single use and daily disposable contact lenses are prescribed mostly to prevent contamination issues that can occur from insufficient disinfection of lenses that are worn more than once.

Types of contact lenses

There are many different types of contact lenses for children to correct a variety of vision conditions:

• Soft Contacts

These lenses are most frequently prescribed for children, as they are known to be comfortable and easy to adapt to.  These lenses are available as daily, biweekly (every two weeks), and monthly disposables. Extended wear options are also available.

• Rigid Gas Permeable Contacts (RGP)

Also known as ‘hard lenses,’ these lenses provide clear vision for many complex vision conditions. Their high oxygen permeability decreases the risk of eye infections. However, when starting to wear these lenses there may be a longer adjustment period than with soft lenses.

• Toric Lenses

These lenses are used for people with astigmatism. They come in a standard design for most common optical powers or can be specially customized if required.

• Scleral Lenses

These contact lenses are used for children with an irregular corneal shape. Sclerals bridge over the cornea and rest on the white (sclera) of the eye.

• Ortho-k Lenses

These lenses are used for children with myopia. Worn overnight, they temporarily  reshape the cornea so users can enjoy clear vision during the day, without the need for eyewear.

These lenses have also been shown to reduce the progression of myopia.

Schedule a contact lens fitting with an eye doctor near you.

Is my child ready for contact lenses?

Before deciding if contact lenses are right for a child, a parent needs to consider whether their child is ready to wear them. During their eye doctor’s appointment, the optometrist may ask about the level of personal hygiene, maturity and responsibility.

Older children are typically highly motivated to wear contacts and usually adapt to them very quickly.

Other considerations are the child’s optical prescription, level of self-esteem and participation in sports.

Eye infections and contact lenses

Children, like adults, have a chance of developing eye infections or other complications when using  contact lenses. However, when cared for and worn according to your eye doctor’s instructions, contact lenses are low-risk and perfectly safe for children and teenagers.

Children who wear contact lenses must follow careful instructions to maintain optimal hygiene in order to prevent any eye infections.

Here are some ways for them to prevent and minimize their risk of an eye infection:

• Always wash hands before inserting or removing contact lenses
• Clean contact lenses and cases as directed by your eye doctor
• Keep fingernails short and clean
• Replace contact lenses as directed by your doctor
• Attend all appointments with your eye doctor

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you to find out which type of contact lens is the best fit and safest for your child’s eyes.

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Pollen is not the only cause of allergies that can affect your eyes and make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. Dust, pet dander, smoke and mold can all cause allergic reactions in the eye. Luckily, there are easy ways to protect your eyes while maintaining comfort.

If you have allergies, speak to an doctor about how you can reduce your symptoms.

SEE RELATED: Eye Allergies and Contact Lenses

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.

1. Wear daily disposable lenses

Contact lenses attract allergens in the air. Not surprisingly, lenses worn for an entire month collect the most allergens and debris for the entire month.

However, disposable daily contact  lenses are only worn for one day only before being discarded, allowing allergens less time to accumulate.

Ask your eye doctor about the most suitable regular lenses for your eyes.

2. Minimize lens wear time

If your allergic reaction is very mild, you may still be able to wear your contacts during the allergy attack. However, consider reducing the amount of time you wear your lenses.

3. Temporarily wear glasses 

If your eyes are red, itchy and swollen from an allergy, it’s recommended to refrain entirely from wearing contact lenses. Glasses with transition lenses, which are clear when you are indoors and darken in sunlight, are ideal for this time.

4. Initiate a cleaning routine

Cleaning your contact lenses on a more regular basis will help keep them free of allergens. Some people are allergic to the preservatives in lens cleaning solutions, so be sure to use preservative-free solutions.

Ask your eye doctor about peroxide-based disinfectants, which have a more thorough cleaning effect.

5. Keep your eyes moist

To help keep your eyes from drying up or experiencing any additional discomfort, use artificial tears. Make sure they are preservative-free eye-drops; otherwise, you may experience an adverse reaction to the preservatives.

Ask your eye doctor for specific eye drops that can be used with contact lenses.

6. Use hypoallergenic makeup

Pay attention to the types of cosmetics you apply around your eyes. Moisture particles from tears or sweat can bring makeup in contact with the eye’s surface.

To decrease allergic reactions, use hypoallergenic creams and cosmetics.

7. Take anti-allergy medications

While antihistamines (anti-allergy medications) can help with an allergy attack, they often cause dry eye and may, therefore, intensify symptoms.

Consult your eye doctor if you are taking antihistamines.

8. Inform your eye doctor

It’s best to let your eye doctor know if you have any allergies at the time of your eye exam. They will advise you on which type of lenses are more suited to your sensitive eyes, which products to use and how to care for your lenses.

There is no reason you should go through unnecessary suffering with your contact lenses just because you also have allergies.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you so that you can receive the care and information you need to manage your allergies and contacts all year long.

The post Top 8 Tips for Allergies and Contact Lenses appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Eye herpes, also known as herpes keratitis, is a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two major types of the virus; Type I and Type II. While both types of herpes can spread to the eye and cause infection, Type I is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. It is rare to transfer Type II to the eye.

Here are commonly asked questions about eye herpes.

#1 Is this condition serious? 

Yes. Eye herpes is a serious infection of your cornea, possibly causing life-long blindness.

Once treated, eye herpes usually lasts 1-3 weeks, sometimes even longer.

Treatment normally lasts two weeks, and you should see results within five days.

#2 What are common symptoms of eye herpes?

At the first sign of an outbreak, contact your doctor to begin treatment as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of vision loss.

Common symptoms of herpes keratitis may include:

• Blurred vision
• Discharge
• Pain
• Rash
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Tearing

If the infection only involves the cornea’s outer layer, it will usually heal without scarring. However, if it involves the deeper layers of cornea, the infection may lead to scarring of the cornea, loss of vision and sometimes even blindness.

Left untreated, eye herpes can cause severe and permanent vision loss.

If you suffer with persistent red eyes, it is vital to contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat eye herpes with the appropriate medication.

SEE RELATED: Corneal Ulcers

#3 How often do flare-ups recur? 

20% of people who’ve had eye herpes will have another outbreak within a year of the initial infection.

While several factors contribute to a recurrence, if you experience multiple flare-ups, your doctor may recommend taking a daily antiviral medication for prevention.

#4 What causes flare-ups?

Major stressors can often lead to a bout of eye herpes. These include:

• Fever
• Trauma
• Emotional distress
• Excessive sunlight exposure (UV rays)
• Refractive surgery (LASIK, etc.)
• Major surgical or dental procedures

A weakened immune system can also put you at increased risk of an eye herpes flare-up, and potentially lead to an outbreak.

#5 How is eye herpes treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, general health, and the severity of the outbreak. .

Possible treatments may include:

• Antibiotic drops for your eyes (to prevent further infection by bacteria)
• Antibiotic ointment for your eyelids (to prevent infection by bacteria)
• Antiviral drops for your eyes
• Antiviral ointment for your eyelids
• Antiviral medicines taken by mouth
• Steroid drops for your eyes (to reduce inflammation)

While most of these treatments are fairly short-term, you may also need to take antiviral oral medicine on a long-term basis. This is to help prevent future flare-ups. Some complications of eye herpes may require additional treatment.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat your eye herpes.

The post Eyes and Herpes: Q&A appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The most common type of eye herpes is called epithelial keratitis, which tends to infect the cornea, causing redness, inflammation, excessive tearing of the eye, and eventually affecting your visual clarity.

Left untreated, eye herpes can cause scarring and corneal ulcers, which may lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.

What is eye herpes?

Eye herpes, also known as ocular herpes, is a potentially serious infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores around the lips and mouth.

Eye herpes is typically contracted by touching a cold sore and then touching the eyes with contaminated fingers. Once contracted, the virus stays in the body for life.

Many people with eye herpes are unaware that they have it because it can lie dormant in the nervous system for years without causing any symptoms. It’s not unusual for HSV to reactivate months or even years after it was first contracted. Flare-ups can resolve after 2-3 weeks, though the infection can reappear, even after 10 years.

Oftentimes, eye herpes is confused with other types of pink eye, such as bacterial or other viral eye infections.

If you suffer with persistent red eyes, it is vital to contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat eye herpes with the appropriate medication.

SEE RELATED: Eyes and Herpes: Q&A

How does eye herpes affect the eyes?

Many parts of the eye can be affected by eye herpes, including:

• Cornea – the clear layer on the front of your eye
• Conjunctiva – the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera
• Sclera – the white part of your eye
• Eyelids – specifically the lid margins
• Retina – the light-sensing sheet of cells in the back of your eye
• Iris – the colored part of your eye

What are the symptoms of eye herpes?

Eye herpes is associated with various signs and symptoms, including:

• Blisters or rash on the eyelids
• Persistent sore, red or pink eyes
• Eye discomfort and irritation
• Headache and lethargy
• Reduced or blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Watery eye discharge

While eye herpes usually affects only one eye, it’s not uncommon for both eyes to be infected.

If you suspect you have eye herpes, contact an eye doctor near you who can help prevent further complications.

How to reduce the risk of eye herpes?

Although there is no way to totally prevent an eye herpes infection, or any other form of eye infection for that matter, the following measures will reduce your risk.

• Keep your eyes and hands clean
• Avoid touching your eyes if you have a herpes outbreak
• Seek medical treatment for any form of herpes as soon as possible
• If you wear contact lenses, be sure to follow your eye doctor’s instructions on contact lens care.

While there’s no ultimate cure for eye herpes, certain treatments can help control future outbreaks and prevent vision loss.

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye herpes can help avoid severe and life-long eye damage and significantly improve your symptoms.

Treatment usually includes antiviral medication, which can be eye drops, ointment, or oral medication.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If you’re experiencing symptoms of eye herpes, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you.

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Contact lenses are a great choice for people who want convenience and clear vision. But now you have to decide between monthlies and dailies. While choosing may be easy for some, others find it a difficult choice to make, and like many other aspects of life, price is an important considerations

The newer design or materials provide added eye health benefits, but can be more expensive.

Learn more about the two types of lenses, to help you make an informed decision.

1. Daily lenses

Daily contact lenses are single-use lenses that you remove at the end of the day and discard. They’re usually designed to have a high water content and be very thin.

Daily contact lenses are designed to be used once and then discarded, so they require very little upkeep.

It’s crucial to understand that leaving daily lenses on your eyes overnight could cause corneal damage and eye infections.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can help you decide which contact lenses best meet you and your eyes’ needs.

SEE RELATED: The Contact Lens Exam

2. Monthly Lenses

Monthly contact lenses must be replaced on a monthly basis, and usually on a particular date, according to the eye doctor’s instructions. They are more durable than daily lenses since they are made of a thicker material.

Monthly lenses are even more resistant to drying out, but you must clean them according to the instructions to ensure your wearing comfort and eye health.

Before you’ll need to switch to a new pair, monthly contact lenses can be worn for about 30 days.

Another good thing about monthlies is that there are certain brands of monthly lenses, called ‘extended wear’ contact lenses, that are FDA approved for overnight or even full-time wear for the entire month.

Although these lenses are safe to wear overnight, the longer you wear contacts, the greater the risk of complications, including infection.

Is there a cost difference?

As a general guide daily lenses are more expensive than monthly lenses, especially if you are wearing lenses 4 or more days a week.

Daily lenses work out to be under or close to $1 per lens, expect to pay $25 – $40 for a box of 30, and $55 to $90 for a box of 90 lenses.

Monthly contact lenses are usually $3-4 per lens, expect to pay around $30 to $40 for a box of 6 lenses.

As you can imagine, wearing daily lenses is usually more expensive than monthly lenses, however there are a few considerations;

1. Frequency of wear:

If the daily lenses are only worn 3-4 times per week then the overall cost is virtually the same as monthly lenses.

2. Storage and cleaning solutions:

With monthly lenses, it is important to add the cost of your contact lens solutions to the overall calculation.

3. Damaged or lost lenses:

The cost per lens of the monthly lenses are more expensive, so if you are prone to damaging or loosing lenses, then daily might be cost effective

There are plenty of choices for both monthly and daily contact lenses, regardless of the kind you select. You should always discuss all the pros and cons of each type with your eye doctor.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

Contact an eye doctor near you who can help you decide which ones best meet you and your eyes’ needs.

The post Contact Lenses: Daily or Monthly? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

It’s easy to fall asleep in your contact lenses; one minute you’re reading a book or watching TV, and the next you’re fast asleep.

In some cases, a person can wake up with their lenses on and just blink any discomfort away.

Sleeping with contact lenses make you up to 8 times more likely to experience a contact lens-related eye infection, such as damage to your cornea.

Contact an eye doctor near you to learn more about contact lens safety.

SEE RELATED: Contact Lenses: What Can Go Wrong?

Does sleeping in contacts increase the risk of infection?

Yes. Corneas need oxygen to remain healthy, but they receive their oxygen directly from the air and do not receive oxygen from the lungs. The flow of oxygen and nutrients keeps the cornea clear, balanced, and functioning properly.

During the day, open eyes allow oxygen to reach the cornea directly through the tear film.

When a person sleeps with contact lenses overnight, the contact forms a barrier between the cornea and the tears, limiting the amount of oxygen delivered to the cornea at night. This is known as ‘corneal hypoxia’.

Even though a person’s eyes are closed when they sleep, different parts of the eye, such as the aqueous humor and tears, provide only limited oxygen and nutrients to the corneas.

A lack of oxygen may potentially cause these corneal problems;

• Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea
• Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva
• Corneal neovascularization: the influx of new blood vessels into the cornea

In serious but rare cases, dozing off in contact lenses — particularly repeatedly — can cause vision loss due to corneal scarring, necessitating the use of medicated eye drops or even surgery.

What to do if you sleep with your contacts?

As soon as you wake up, remove your contacts and don’t insert them again for at least one day, to give your corneas some air.

Be sure not to tug at the lens, as sleeping in contacts can make the lens harder to remove from your eye and it could tear.

Apply a few drops of artificial tears before removing the lenses as that will help loosen them from your eye.

If you find yourself sleeping in your contact lenses on a regular basis it could impact your eye health to the point that you may not be able to wear the lenses for many days or even weeks.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

If you notice any symptoms like redness, eye discharge, very watery eyes or blurred vision after a night of wearing your lenses or at any other time, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you.

The post Is Sleeping in Contact Lenses Dangerous? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Slowly progressive blurred vision is usually caused by long-term medical conditions. Sudden blurring is most often caused by a single event.

Some instances of sudden blurred vision are medical emergencies that must be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage and vision loss.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can evaluate the cause of your blurred vision.

SEE RELATED: What Is an Eye Stroke?

When is blurred vision a medical emergency?

1. Strokes

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. When a blood clot blocks an artery transporting blood to the brain, an ischemic stroke occurs. When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke, which is less common.

Strokes can cause a sudden, severe headache and blurred vision in one or both eyes.

Other symptoms often associated with strokes include sudden:

• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking and understanding speech
• Numbness or weakness of the arm, face, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination

Strokes may have life-threatening and permanently debilitating consequences if they are not treated quickly. If a person suspects they or someone close to them is having a stroke, they should call for an ambulance right away.

2. Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of head injury that causes damage to the brain. There are different types of brain injuries, including concussions and skull fractures.

A jolt, hit, blow, bump, or penetrating objects cause most TBIs.

The symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the part of the brain that was injured and the extent of the damage. While some TBI symptoms occur right away, others may take days or weeks to appear.

Symptoms of TBI can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Coma
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Mood changes, such as irritability
• Ringing in the ears

People with a mild TBI should temporarily limit doing certain activities that can stress their brain or increase the risk of reinjury, such as playing sports or computer work. Always follow your physician’s advice.

Severe TBI can be life-threatening without treatment. The treatment for TBI depends on the extent, location, and severity of the injury.

3. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, the red protein in blood that transports oxygen throughout the body, as people breathe it in. Hemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen to organs and tissues when it’s bound to carbon monoxide.

A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since carbon monoxide deprives the brain and body of oxygen, it causes a number of symptoms.

Additional symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Confusion
• Fatigue and weakness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Loss of consciousness
• Upset stomach and vomiting

People with mild to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning should get themselves away from the poisonous gas and seek medical treatment immediately.

4. Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is where fluid in the front part of the eye is suddenly blocked from draining out of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise quickly.

Symptoms include headache and severe pain in or above the eyes. Other symptoms include:

• Changes in your vision, including blurred vision
• Nausea
• Redness and pain in the eyes

If you have any of these symptoms seek help right away.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires treatment to decrease the pressure and the inflammation inside the eye.

Many things can cause your vision to suddenly become blurred. When treatment is delayed, some can result in vision loss.

Other medical emergencies are also caused by retinal diseases, retinal detachments and corneal burns.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you about any sudden unexplained changes in your vision.

If you believe you may be experiencing a TBI, carbon monoxide poisoning or are having or stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

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To help you out, here are the key differences between dry eyes and eye infections.

Important Note: While learning about these eye problems is helpful, nothing can replace the care and diagnostic skills of an eye doctor.

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you.

Dry eyes or eye infection? 

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are caused by a chronic lack of eye hydration, brought on by either poor tear quality or insufficient tears.

Individuals suffering from dry eyes will experience any number of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Burning or itchy eyes
• Grittiness
• Red, irritated eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Watery eyes

Dry eyes can be caused by irritants such as heat and air conditioning, dry, windy weather, some health conditions, drugs, the aging process, or too much screen time.

The goal of treating dry eyes is to keep your eyes hydrated, which can often be accomplished by using artificial tears, increasing tear production, treating inflammation in the eyelids, or conserving tears in the eyes.

Eye infections 

Eye infections occur when harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungus and viruses invade and wreak havoc on the different parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and eyelids.

Here are a few common signs:

• Crustiness around the eyelashes and lids
• Enlarged lymph nodes near the ear
• Eye pain or irritation
• Eye redness
• Swollen eyelids
• Yellowy discharge from the eyes

If you suspect that you have an eye infection, don’t take a “wait and see” approach. Prompt treatment will facilitate a speedier recovery and help prevent any possible eye damage.

What to do? 

The key to properly diagnosing and treating any eye condition is a comprehensive eye exam. 

In addition to examining your eyes, your eye doctor may also ask questions about your lifestyle, medical history and family history to better understand your condition.

So, whether you suspect you have dry eye syndrome or an eye infection, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you.

The post Dry Eye or Eye Infection? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Both of these may require you to rely on an optical correction, either eyeglasses or contact lenses, but for very different reasons.

Common vision problems are known as refractive errors. They occur when the eye is unable to focus light properly. There are four kinds of refractive errors – myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

The two most common types of refractive error are myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

When you are myopic, it’s easy to see close up, but difficult to see far away. For instance, reading a book is clear but reading a road sign isn’t. When you are hyperopic, it’s the opposite, which explains why you might need reading glasses.

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you to have clear and comfortable vision.

SEE RELATED: Eye Anatomy: The Back of the Eye

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also called nearsightedness, causes people and objects situated at a distance to appear blurry.

Myopia occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eyeball is too long. This causes the focal point of light to fall in front of the retina instead of on the retina.

Most school-aged children, teens, and young adults who need glasses are diagnosed with nearsightedness, which typically begins in childhood and may advance until the late teen years, when the eyes usually stop growing.

People with myopia might need contact lenses, glasses, or corrective surgery to correct their eyesight. Myopia management (also called Ortho-k) is a non-surgical option for gradually and gently reshaping the cornea.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

Symptoms of nearsightedness may include:

• Headaches caused by eyestrain
• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
• Excessive blinking
• Persistent squinting or partially closing the eyelids to see clearly
• Difficulty seeing while driving, especially at night

• Needing to sit close to the television or computer, or at the front of the classroom
• Being unaware of distant objects
• Frequent eye rubbing

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms contact an eye doctor near you.

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, causes close-up objects or people to appear out of focus, while distant objects are clear.

Hyperopia occurs when the cornea’s curve is too flat or the eyeball is too short. This causes light to reach a point of focus beyond the retina instead of on the retina.

Farsightedness is often an issue from birth but since a developing brain has the ability to adapt, it can take a while to diagnose. Children who are farsighted may develop a lazy eye or eye turn.

As with myopia, people with hyperopia can benefit from glasses, contact lenses, transitional or bifocal lenses, or corrective surgery. School-age children can be prescribed ‘low plus’ lenses for hyperopia. Some people might need to wear contacts and glasses all the time while others might need them only for reading, computer work, and other close-up tasks.

Symptoms of Farsightedness

Symptoms of farsightedness may include:

• Blurry vision
• Nearby objects may appear blurry
• Squinting to see clearly
• Burning eyes, and aching in or around the eyes
• General eye discomfort
• Trouble focusing on nearby objects
• Headaches or fatigue after doing close work such as reading, writing, or drawing

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Health

A comprehensive eye exam tests for nearsightedness and farsightedness. Schedule your eye exam with an eye doctor near you, so that you can start to see clearly.

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