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Common eye conditions
Short sightedness (myopia)
Short sight occurs when light is focused in front of the retina and causes
distance vision to become blurred. Near vision, however, is usually clear. This
commonly develops in childhood or adolescence and is often first noticed by
blurring of writing on the school blackboard.
Long sightedness (hypermetropia)
Long sight occurs when the natural tendency is to focus light beyond the retina
rather than on it, and the eye has to make a compensating effort to re-focus.
With a younger person this may only be possible with effort and may, for
example, cause headaches when reading. In an older person, as well as making
reading very difficult, it may also cause distance vision to become blurred.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye is egg shaped instead of being
regularly curved like a ball. In this case both distance and near vision may be
distorted. People with this condition may suffer from headaches or be unduly
sensitive to light.
Presbyopia (ageing eye)
As we get older, the lens of the eye thickens and slowly loses its flexibility
leading to a gradual decline in our ability to focus on objects that are close
up. This loss of focusing ability is called PRESBYOPIA.
Macular Degeneration
Sometimes the delicate cells of the macula become damaged and stop working. We
do not know why this is, although it tends to happen as people get older. This
is called age-related macular degeneration. (Further information)
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterised by raised pressure inside the eye which can
damage the optic nerve - the nerve at the back of the eye, reducing the field
of vision and the ability to see clearly. (Further information)
Cataract
Over half of those over 65 have some cataract development and most cases can be
treated successfully with surgery. A cataract is not a skin that grows over the
eye. A cataract is a clouding of part of the eye called the lens. Vision
becomes blurred or dim because light cannot pass through the clouded lens to
the back of the eye. (Further information)
Diabetic retinopathy
Eye problems are common in people with diabetes. Early detection and treatment can
reduce serious eye problems in later life.
(Further information)
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