Short-sightedness (Myopia)

Short sight occurs when light is focused in front of the retina causing distance vision to become blurred. Near vision, however, is usually clear. Short sight normally develops in childhood or adolescence and is often first noticed at school. Spectacles may need to be worn all the time or just for driving, watching TV or sports.

Long-sightedness (Hypermetropia)

Long sight occurs when light is focused behind the retina rather than on it. The eye has to re-focus and this can cause discomfort, headaches or problems with near vision.Young patients can overcome small amounts of long-sightedness by using the focusing power of the natural crystalline lens inside the eye. The ability to do this starts to reduce after the age of 40, and both distance and near vision become blurred.

Astigmatism (Oval shaped eye)

Astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea or lens is not perfectly round. It is sometimes described as the eye being shaped like a rugby ball rather than a football. Most people have a small amount of astigmatism, which may not need correcting. If vision is blurred or headaches occur, our optometrist may recommend spectacles or contact lenses are worn all the time or just for specific tasks.

Presbyopia (Changes in the eye after the age of 40)

The ability of the eye to focus on near objects decreases with age.This happens as the flexibility of the eye’s natural lens diminishes. Most people require near vision correction in the form of spectacles or multifocal contact lenses by the age of 45.

Correction of all of the above conditions can be made with spectacles or contact lenses.