4. What are the most common eye and vision conditions?

MYOPIA (nearsightedness) is a vision condition in which you can usually see close or near objects clearly, but cannot see distant objects as clearly.

HYPEROPIA (farsightedness) is a vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close objects appear blurred.

ASTIGMATISM is a vision condition in which light entering the eye is not able to be brought to a single focus, resulting in vision being blurred at all distances.

PRESBYOPIA is a vision condition that occurs when the crystalline lens of the eye gradually loses its ability to bring close objects into clear focus. It usually becomes noticeable in one’s early-to-mid-forties, and is a natural part of aging.

AMBLYOPIA (lazy eye) is the loss or lack of the full development of vision in one eye, and is not the result of any identifiable eye health problem. Amblyopia is usually due to conditions such as crossed eyes (strabismus) or a large difference in the refractive error between the two eyes.

STRABISMUS (crossed eyes) is a vision condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. One or both eyes may alternately turn in (esotropia), up (hypertropia) or down (hypotropia).

GLAUCOMA is a disease that damages the optic nerve, usually due to an increase of fluid pressure in the eyeball. If left untreated, this damage can cause severe vision loss and even blindness, yet fifty percent of people with glaucoma are unaware that they have it.

CATARACTS occur as the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision becomes blurred and/or distorted.

MACULAR DEGENERATION is a chronic, progressive disease that obscures a person’s central field of vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness for seniors in North America.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY is a common complication of long term diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness in Canadians between the ages of 30 and 69.

CONJUNCTIVITIS is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid, and a portion of the front of the eye. The infectious form, commonly known as “pink eye”, is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria.

ANTERIOR UVEITIS is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, including the iris.

DRY EYES occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or produce tears that do not have the proper chemical composition.

BLEPHARITIS refers to a bacterial infection at the base of the eyelashes, a common and often persistent condition.

Early detection is crucial to the management of all conditions, and for the preservation of sight.

For more detailed information about conditions of the eye go to:

www.cnib.ca
www.nei.nih.gov
www.allaboutvision.com