What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a visual condition that is caused by the front surface of the eye (the cornea) being slightly irregular in shape. Usually the cornea is round like a basketball but an astigmatic cornea is shaped more like an egg.

Astigmatism can be combined with either nearsightedness or farsightedness. It causes the light going to the back of the eye to focus at two different points, creating a distorted image.
Small amounts of astigmatism are very common. In fact almost everyone has some degree of astigmatism but not everyone will need correction for it. The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurry vision both in the distance and at near. Headaches, fatigue and squinting may also be caused by astigmatism.

Astigmatism is not a disease. It is simply a variation in the shape of the cornea. Your optometrist will examine your eyes and prescribe corrective lenses that will allow you to have clear and comfortable vision. The corrective lenses can be in spectacles (eyeglasses) or contact lenses that are specially made to correct astigmatism.

What does it mean to be Farsighted?
Farsightedness is also called hyperopia. It is a vision condition in which distant objects are seen clearly, but near objects are blurry or eyestrain develops after near activities. Hyperopia occurs when either the eyeball is too short, or the focusing power of the eye is too weak. Instead of focusing on the retina, light rays from distant objects focus behind the retina and the muscles of the eye must work to bring the image into focus. The effort required to focus the image depends on the amount of hyperopia, but it is always more effort to focus the image of a near object than to focus for a distant object.

Approximately 60% of North Americans are farsighted (hyperopic). Young people with moderate hyperopia may not require corrective lenses until they are older because the muscles in their eyes are strong enough to bring the Images of both distant and near objects into focus. As a person ages the ability to focus decreases but the age at which corrective lenses are needed depends on the amount of hyperopia. If you are farsighted (hyperopic) you may find it difficult to concentrate and maintain a clear focus on near objects. You may develop eye strain, fatigue, headaches and aching or burning eyes after sustained near work.

What is Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a vision condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects are blurry. Myopia occurs when either the eyeball is too long, or the focusing power of the eye is too powerful. Instead of focusing on the retina, light rays from distant objects focus in front of the retina and the image is blurry. If you are nearsighted, you will generally have more difficulty seeing a movie than reading a book. Mountains in the distance may be hard to see, but flowers up close will be clear.

Approximately 30% of North Americans are nearsighted (myopic). Myopia may be hereditary, as the child of two myopic parents is more likely to be myopic than the child of farsighted parents. Since the eye continues to grow during childhood, myopia usually develops before age 20.

What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a vision condition that occurs as the lens of the eye grows older. The lens is not able to change shape, and therefore not able to change focus, as easily as it use to. Presbyopia happens to everyone, usually first being noticeable between 40 and 50 years of age, with all ability to change focus lost by 55 years of age.

There is no known way to prevent presbyopia. Your eyeball stops growing at about 20 years of age but the lens in your eye continues to grow throughout your entire life. Eventually the lens becomes so compact that it gradually loses flexibility. The muscles that are to change the shape of the lens continue to function at the same level, but it no longer has enough force to manipulate the dense lens. Since presbyopia is progressive, an eye exam is recommended every 18 months between age 40 and 60.

What are the First Symptoms of Presbyopia?

1. Headaches after prolonged new work
   Eye strain when reading
   Needing to hold reading materials further and further away in order to focus on the print
   Needing more light in order to see near objects clearly.

How is Presbyopia Corrected?

1. Bifocal Spectacles (Eye Glasses)
   Progressive (Multifocal) Spectacles
   Half-Eye Spectacles
   Soft Bifocal Contact Lenses
   Monovision Contact Lens Correction
   Reading Spectacles over Contact Lenses

Bifocal

Progressive

Half Eye Reader