Recognizing vision problems

Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia: visual impairments can take on many forms. Those affected often only notice it gradually, but sometimes out of the blue: their eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and this decline becomes an ever greater strain. Near-sighted people find it difficult to see things that are far away, while for far-sighted people close-up objects become harder to see. Digital vision and looking at a smartphone, laptop, etc. all have an impact on our vision, and have transformed our visual habits. That’s why an increasing number of people are complaining of digital eye strain or difficulty seeing when driving. BETTER VISION explains: What visual impairments are there, what causes them – and what helps us regain optimum vision?

There is a whole host of vision challenges we may encounter in our lives. Most of them are largely harmless and can be corrected just by wearing glasses: near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism to name but a few. This article focuses on these “normal” vision problems. However, there are specific cases in which only an operation can help. Click here for everything you need to know about the most common eye diseases…

To better understand near- and far-sightedness we first need to explain how we see: in order to perceive things clearly, they have to be projected on the retina – and not in front of it or behind it. A number of factors are involved in this process, including the length of the eyeball and the curvature of the eye’s lens and cornea. If the interplay between these elements no longer works as it should, people will becomenearfar near- or far-sighted.

How does near-sightedness manifest?

Near-sighted people perceive faraway objects as blurred, while close-up objects appear crystal clear.

What are the causes of myopia?

There are actually quite a few. The most common is an excessively long eyeball (axis myopia). Incoming light is bundled not on, but in front of the retina. The upshot? Vision becomes blurred. In rare cases, this leads to refractive myopia. With this type of myopia, the eyeball length is normal but the cornea or lens are much too curved, which is why the image appears not on but in front of the retina – and is thus perceived as blurred. Did you know that the word myopia comes from the Greek word myops, which means “squinting face?” Without glasses, many near-sighted people squint when looking into the distance so they can see more clearly – hence the expression.

Did you know that 21 percent of the world is near-sighted? This makes near-sightedness one of the most common vision problems today.

What helps if you’re short-sighted?

Generally, an optimally fitted pair of distance glasses or contact lenses can help you see clearly when looking at faraway objects. Your eye doctor can perform an eye test to quickly find out if you’re near-sighted and offer you the correct solution. Laser surgery is another way of correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

How does far-sightedness manifest?

Seeing things close up is tiring. Far-sighted people usually perceive close-up objects as blurred. A long time spent reading, doing DIY or staring at a screen without the help of glasses often causes headaches. While far-sighted people can clearly see objects in the distance, it often takes them a while to adjust from close-up to faraway objects.

What causes far-sightedness?

The most common – and almost always genetic – cause of far-sightedness is that the eyeball is too short (axis hyperopia). A relaxed, far-sighted eye therefore cannot image close-up objects on the retina but rather behind it, which is why they appear blurred. Refractive hyperopia is much more rare: this is where the eyeball is normal in length, but the cornea or lens are not curved enough to be able to see close-up objects clearly. The same thing happens if the eye’s lens is missing. This can be genetic, but can also come as the result of an accident or a disease.

What helps if you’re far-sighted?

In general, far-sightedness can be corrected with single vision lenses,  reading glasses  or properly fitted contact lenses, to enable you to see close-up objects clearly once again. Your eye doctor can perform an eye test to quickly find out if you’re far-sighted and offer you vision correction with glasses.

What causes presbyopia?

Presbyopia occurs as the eye naturally ages, usually from the age of 40 upwards: the lens loses its elasticity and can thus no longer properly focus clearly on objects at different distances. This makes reading, especially at close range, that much more difficult.

What helps if you have presbyopia?

People suffering from presbyopia – who don’t have other vision problems like near- or far-sightedness – can normally use single vision lenses to see objects either close up or far away, and thus enjoy optimum vision. For presbyopia sufferers who are near- or far-sighted and wear glasses, however, progressive lenses are usually the way to go: there are corrective areas of different strengths, thus enabling razor-sharp images at all distances, no matter how near or far. Multifocal contacts and/or progressive lenses can be used to correct presbyopia. Your optometrist can perform an eye test to find out if you have presbyopia and offer you glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.

How does astigmatism manifest?

Objects close up and far away are perceived as distorted and blurry, details can’t be made out, and point light sources look like a small line or bar. Many people also find it difficult to judge distances correctly.

What causes astigmatism?

Astigmatism is usually genetic. It is where the cornea curves in different directions at varying degrees of intensity, which compromises “consistent,” undistorted vision. In most cases, astigmatism occurs alongside near- or far-sightedness.

What helps if you have astigmatism?

Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or an operation. Glasses for those suffering from astigmatism feature a “cylinder.” You can see whether your glasses have one of these cylinders by looking at your prescription: cylinders are noted with the abbreviation “cyl.” A cylinder balances out the blurred image, meaning you can enjoy normal vision once again. Depending on the kind of astigmatism, it may be possible to wear soft or hard contact lenses, or toric contact lenses. They also feature a cylinder, which ensures they balance out the curved surface. They are also known as astigmatic or cylindrical contact lenses. In this instance, too, your eye care professional will have the expertise and equipment they need to offer you the perfect eye care solution. If it’s not possible to correct your visual impairment with glasses or contacts, astigmatism can also be corrected through surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, your eye care professional can recommend the best surgery for you.

What helps if you suffer from digital eyestrain?

For those suffering from digital eyestrain, one solution could be distance lenses with special support for your eyes at close range, such as the ZEISS Digital Lenses. Our ZEISS Precision progressive lenses also feature this technology as standard. Both lens types have been specially developed for digital devices such as e-readers and smartphones: special optimization of the near zone takes into account the typical movements of the eyes and the nearer reading distance required by these devices. The design optimally supports the ciliary muscle, making it easier for the wearer to focus in the near and distance ranges.

• Symptom: Do you only see objects and text clearly when you hold them up in front of you? Cause: You’re probably near-sighted.
  
• Symptom: Can you see your colleagues clearly, but find it hard to read the words on a screen? Cause: You could be far-sighted.
  
• Symptom: Point light sources look long instead of round. Objects seem distorted. Street lamps don’t have a clear halo, but look fringed and elongated. Cause: You could have astigmatism.
  
• Symptom: Do you suddenly find it hard to switch between close-up and faraway objects – and vice versa? Cause: You could have presbyopia.
  
• Symptom: When reading a text close up, does it appear blurred? To see things clearly, do you have to hold them further away, e.g. books or your smartphone? Cause: Presbyopia.
  
• Symptom: You use your smartphone regularly. Do your eyes burn come evening, and do you often get headaches and neck pain? Cause: You’re probably suffering from digital eyestrain as you’re putting too much strain on the ciliary muscle.
  
• Symptom: Can you no longer see road signs clearly and do you get disoriented by glare when driving? Cause: These could be the symptoms of near-sightedness, or presbyopia in combination with eyestrain caused by driving.
  
• Symptom: Does driving make you more tired than usual, particularly at night? Do you get the feeling you can’t see as clearly as you used to? Cause: It’s highly likely that your eyes are under strain while driving. A number of different visual impairments could be causing this, such as near- and far-sightedness, or presbyopia. Astigmatism also diminishes your vision.

As a rule of thumb: The eye is a complex organ, and vision problems should always be checked out. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can perform various tests to quickly make the right diagnosis and recommend the correct vision aid for you. Get your eyes checked regularly to ensure you always see clearly. Experts recommend doing this every two years.