eye strain

Hyperopia, better known to the general public as farsightedness, is when an individual can see distant objects clearly but has great difficulty seeing objects up close. This common visual condition is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it.

Common Causes/Risk Factors of Farsightedness

• The eyeball may be too small.

• The cornea is not curved enough.

• The lens sits farther back in the eye than normal.

• Focusing power of the eye may be too weak.

• If a family member is farsighted, you are more likely to be farsighted yourself.

• In rare cases, diseases – such as retinopathy and eye tumors – can cause farsightedness.

Signs and Symptoms of Farsightedness

• Of course, nearby objects may appear blurry

• Aching Eyes

• Blurred vision / blurry vision / you need to squint to see clearly

• Crossed eyes (strabismus)

• Eye strain

• Headaches while reading

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at your earliest convenience. Any change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Because the hyperopic eye is smaller than average, all the structures in the eye are crowded together. This can lead to crowding or narrowing of the anterior chamber drainage channel and is one of the main causes of narrow angle glaucoma and acute angle closure glaucoma. If you, or someone you care about is farsighted, please make sure your eye care professional checks the anterior chamber angle for narrow angles. This can be an important warning sign to help us prevent acute angle closure glaucoma.

Treatment of Farsightedness

Farsightedness is most commonly treated with glasses or contact lenses. However, surgery is an option for those individuals who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses.

To determine your best course of action, discuss your specific situation with your eye doctor. He/she will be able to better explain the risks and benefits of surgery as compared to wearing glasses or contact lenses.

To learn more about Farsightedness (Hyperopia) please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter,Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Farsightedness

Farsightedness (Hyperopia) – Topic Overview

In honor of March being Save Your Vision Month, we are going to take a look at a very real problem that many Americans are unaware that they face – Computer Vision Syndrome.

Prolonged computer use causes an individual to look straight ahead for long periods of time, blink less often, and use specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system. All of these factors can lead to several issues, including eye strain, blurred vision, and dry eye.

Each one of the above symptoms contributes to Computer Vision Syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use.”

Factors Leading to Computer Vision Syndrome and How to Correct Them

1. Computer Screen Resolution: Poor resolution means poor clarity, which can lead to eyestrain. Be sure to set your resolution to the highest possible resolution your monitor allows.

2. Computer Screen Contrast: Poor contrast can make text difficult to read, leading to eyestrain. Adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read.

3. Computer Screen Glare and Reflections: Glare can put extra strain on your eyes. To reduce glare, eliminate bright light sources from your peripheral vision and position your monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources.

4. Image Refresh Rates: The images on your screen should not flicker. If this occurs, consider upgrading to a monitor with a higher refresh rate, like an LCD monitor.

5. Distance Computer Sits from You: Be sure to situate your computer at a distance that is comfortable for you.

6. Inadequate Glasses Prescription: Is your current prescription effective? If not, it could be causing putting increased strain on your eyes. Be sure to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription

7. Repetitive Tasks: Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can be very detrimental to your vision. Be sure to take periodic breaks and let your eyes focus on objects far away.

Just like any other muscle in the body, your eyes require regular exercise to keep them healthy.

“Patients are often amazed by the improved visual comfort at their computer by making a few minor adjustments. If that doesn’t do the trick, one may want to look into glasses specifically made to optimize visual clarity at 22 to 24 inches or even consider Gunnar Eyewear,” said Dr. Kevin Johnson of Peepers of Severna Park.

For more information on Gunnar Eyewear, visit http://www.gunnars.com. Click here for Gunner Eyewear Coupons.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about Computer Vision Syndrome, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Cast your vote now for Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Boles and Dr. Frank in Chesapeake Family Magazine’s Favorite Docs 2012! Voting ends on March 15th.

Dr. Boles and everyone else at the Anne Arundel Eye Center proudly support the efforts of The Polakoff Foundation and their role in the ongoing fight against glaucoma. Click here to purchase tickets online for the Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration to help raise money to aid the fight against blindness.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter,Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision at the Computer American Optometric Association