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POOR EYESIGHT

Question:
What is the difference between long-sightedness, astigmatism and macular degeneration?
I have difficulty reading newspapers, books, contents on the computer screen and bus service numbers. I wear bifocal/progressive lenses - my power is between 900 and 1,000 plus degrees - but I can't see things at a distance clearly even with them on.
Am I suffering from one or more of the above?
It takes some time for me to adapt to new glasses (so I dread having to change to new ones).

Answer:
Refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Myopia is short-sightedness. People with myopia have difficulty seeing far without glasses or contact lenses and they will require minus power lenses.

Hyperopia is long-sightedness. People with hyperopia have difficulty seeing far and near without glasses or contact lenses and they will require plus lenses.

Astigmatism is when the eye surface is not round but resembles a rugby ball - more curved on one side and flatter on the other side. It can occur in both myopic and hyperopic patients and will require astigmatic lenses.

Presbyopia affects individuals from age 40 onwards where they have difficulty reading. It occurs in both short-sighted and long-sighted patients but its onset is sooner in the latter group. Patients require reading glasses with powers ranging from +0.50 to +3.00D.

Age-related macular degeneration - where the fine vision centre is affected by ageing changes - is a disease which affects elderly patients. There are two types - dry and wet.

The problem you describe seems more like a refractive condition. You should consult an optometrist to check the power of the eye and whether your current spectacles are of the correct power.

If your vision does not improve with new glasses or contact lenses, then you should see an ophthalmologist to check the eye to exclude other diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Dr Lennard Thean

Compliment to Mind Your Body

Labels: astigmatism, eyesight, long-sightendness, macular degeneration

# posted by Leo @ 9:27 AM