Common Eye Conditions
Glasses are used to correct vision problems associated with eye conditions, but some require surgery or other treatment to fix. The following eye conditions are all common eye disorders and diseases:
Amblyopia
Also known as lazy eye, Amblyopia occurs when the brain favors the eye with better vision over the other. Treatment for amblyopia includes prescription glasses, vision therapy of patching the “good” eye to strengthen the other eye, blurring the “good” eye with dilation drops, or surgery.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration affects the macula, the light-sensitive center of the back of the eye. This is typically age-related and the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Although there’s no treatment, progression of macular degeneration can be slowed down with vitamin supplements, eating healthy, and not smoking.
Presbyopia
As we age, it can become harder to focus on close objects because the lens inside of the eye becomes less elastic. Reading glasses or bifocal lenses can be used to correct the blurry vision associated with presbyopia.
Strabismus
Strabismus occurs when a person’s eyes are misaligned or pointing in different directions. Since both eyes are not focused on one spot at the same time, it can be difficult to see. There are four main types of strabismus. Esotropia is when one eye is misaligned inward, referred to as “crossed eyes.” Exotropia occurs when one eye is misaligned outward, referred to as “wall-eyed.” Hypertropia is when one eye is misaligned upward and hypotropia is when one eye is misaligned downward. Eyeglasses, prisms, vision therapy, or eye surgery can all be used to correct strabismus.
Some vision changes can be so subtle that they go unnoticed. That is why it is important to get annual eye exams so your eye care specialist can detect early signs of any eye disorders or diseases.