MYOPIA (SHORTSIGHT)

The world is surely no Utopia
For the youngster with Myopia
If a coin falls to the ground,
Guess by whom it won’t be found.
It’s all just one great mass of blurs:
The hims get mixed up with the hers.

When the eyeball is too long or the corneal curvature is greater than usual, then the light entering the eye is not focussed on the retina. This gives rise to a blurred image of the viewed objects. Myopia is a refractive condition in which the vision is blurred while viewing far-off objects whereas closer objects can be seen clearly without any strain on the eye. It can be a simple myopic error which is of a low to moderate degree or can be of the progressive type in which the power keeps increasing gradually till the patient reaches 23-25 years of age.

It is the latter that can result in poor vision even with the best correction. The likelihood of such an error is more if both the mother and father of the child are highly shortsighted. Heredity has a strong role to play in case of myopia.

HOW COMMON IS SHORT SIGHT?

It is very common, particularly in children of school-going age. Some cases are present at birth which are usually progressive in nature associated with changes in the retina.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF MYOPIA?

It is not possible to totally eliminate the error. But the rays can be brought to a focus on the retina to make images of objects clearer by the use of (-) minus lenses in the form of glasses or contract lenses.

HOW IS SHORT SIGHT DIAGNOSED?

Children with short sight have trouble seeing distant objects like blackboard, movie screens or TV clearly. They may also sit close to the TV or hold books too close to the eyes which is often noticed by the parents.

HYPEROPIA (LONG SIGHT)

Lucky hyperopic lasses,
Chances are they will not need glasses,
Unless there is just a little hint
Of an accommodative squint

Hyperopia is a refractive condition in which the distant objects are seen clearly while close-range vision becomes difficult. The clarity of the distance vision is maintained at the cost of eyestrain depending on the degree of error. One of the most common causes of squint in children is hyperopia

WHY DOES LONG SIGHT OCCUR?

If the length of the eyeball is too short, the rays do not get focussed on the retina. So, a clear image of the objects viewed can be obtained only at the cost of eyestrain. This explains the need for wearing glasses even though the vision is clear.

HOW DOES LONG SIGHT AFFECT VISION?

The hyperopic patient subconsciously exerts effort to maintain clear distant vision and even greater effort to see clearly at close range. This extra strain can cause fatigue, tension, headache & discomfort

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HYPEROPIA?

Difficulty in concentrating & maintaining a clear focus on close objects, eyestrain, fatigue and headache on doing close work even for a short period, burning sensation etc...

HOW IS LONG SIGHT TREATED?

If there are no symptoms and the error is mild, no glasses are required. But in the presence of symptoms, even small degree of errors should be treated.