They have poor eyesight– without even knowing it. In many cases, they could often significantly improve their ision without any great expense.

Those who suffer from poor vision are restricted in many ways. For example, they have problems reading, watching television or suffer from continuous heavy headaches; their professional and social life suffers. In other words: better vision means a better life. We should always look after our eyesight and it is therefore worthwhile consulting the experts so as to start using the correct aids at an early stage to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect our eyes. If your eyesight deteriorates you should visit a specialist; an Ophthalmic Optician. They will do all they can to improve your vision. Today, Ophthalmic Opticians have many options available maintain your eyesight or to improve it to a great extent. The human eye To explain how the eye works in comparison with a camera is useful: The light enters the eye through the pupil (the diaphragm in a camera) and the lensof the eye (camera lens) onto the retina (the film). The retina sends signals via the optic nerve to the brain where the image we actually see is formed. The central point on the retina (yellow spot or macula lutea) is the point of greatest acuity of vision. The border zones of the retina, the periphery, make spatial orientation possible. To produce a sharp image, a focussing mechanism must be used on a camera. In the eye, the ciliary or accommodation muscle carries out this task. There is perfect eyesight if this “camera - eye - system” works properly; the clear picture has to be directly on the yellow spot of the eye, which is located on the retina. If this picture is slightly shifted, either to the front or back, an eye problem will occur. There are basically four different eye problems you can suffer from: Shortsightness, Farsightness, Astigmatism and Prespyopia. The most common problem is shortsightness. Shortsightness or Myopia occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. A cornea that is steeper or an eye that is longer than a normal eye causes this. Shortsighted people typically see very well up close but have difficulties seeing far away. This problem is often discovered in school-age children who report having trouble seeing the blackboard. Shortsightness usually becomes progressively worse through adolescence and stabilises in early adulthood. Mostly it is an inherited problem, so if you or your partner is suffering from this problem remember to get your children examined as well!

Typically signs and symptoms are blurry distance vision and a better vision when squinting. There are hardly any problems when looking closely at something. Shortsightness is indicated in your prescription with a negative number e.g. sph –1,0 dpt. The lenses in the glasses are thin in the middle and bigger at the edges. When looking though, the world seems to become smaller. Farsightness also known as Hyperopia, is quite a common problem as well. It occurs when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it. A cornea that is more flat or an eye that is shorter than a normal eye causes this problem. Farsighted people at a young age typically see well but often suffer from heavy headaches. When they become older they experience problems in reading and eventually even problems of seeing far.

If you are suffering from continuous headaches and/or have problems reading and/or looking at a computer screen even glasses with a low prescription can help! Farsightness is indicated in your prescription with a positive number e.g. sph +1,0 dpt. The lenses in the glasses are big in the middle and thinner at the edges. When looking though, the world seems to become larger.

Often Far- and Shortsightness occur together with Astigmatism. Astigmatism is caused when the cornea of the eye is not perfectly round like a soccer ball but more oval shaped like a rugby ball. This will cause 2 different blurry pictures in or even behind your eye. Typically problems are headaches and problems with bright light like the sun or the computer. Astigmatism is indicated with “cyl” in your prescription. Often this is a second number, behind the indication of Short or Farsightedness. Mostly it’s used in a negative form, e.g. cyl –1,0. It comes along with an Axis, short A, e.g. A 90°. This indicates the direction in which the cornea is curved. The fourth common eye problem is Presbyopia. As we get older, our bodies begin to show signs of ageing. The eyes are also affected. A young eye has optimum vision as long as there are no other eye problems. With the rogression of time, the ciliary muscle slackens, the lens becomes slightly

dull and the retina slightly porous. It is completely normal that eyesight worsens with age. It becomes noticeable from around the age of 45. Problems with reading occur, especially in bad light, and it is easier to hold materials further away to read comfortably. Reading glasses will assist you from then on. Unfortunately if you already wear glasses for another eye problem, it becomes necessary to have combined eyewear or two different pairs of glasses. Your optician will advise you here about the best solution suitable for you and your work. Remember: Continuous headaches are often caused by an eye problem and just a simple eye test could make them disappear. Visit your professional Ophthalmic Optician!

Written by: Catrin Mangeni
Qualified Engineer Ophthalmic Optics
A.C. Opticals