Common Vision Problems
Minor vision problems are very common, with approximately half of the Australia population already using some form of vision correction. The most common eye problems are refractive errors, where the image of what a person is looking at does not focus clearly on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye). Two examples of this kind of refractive error are long and short sightedness. In this section you can find information on the four most common vision conditions, Myopia, Hyperopia, Presbyopia and Astigmatism, all of which can be easily identified with a visit to your optometrist.
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Myopia
Commonly referred to as: Short sightedness
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The picture forms in front of the retina.
A person with myopia, commonly called short-sightedness, will experience blurred distance vision while being able to see clearly up close. Short-sighted people will find objects become clearer as they move closer to them. Their eye is too long and the picture forms in front of the retina.
Myopia is corrected with a negative lens designed to move the image back onto the retina, making distant objects clear once again.
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Hyperopia
Commonly referred to as: Long sightedness
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The eye has to adjust the focus because the image forms behind the retina
A person with hyperopia, also called long-sightedness, can generally see easily at any distance. However, when objects are closer, the eye has to adjust the focus because the image forms behind the retina. Generally the eye can adjust but sometimes this extra effort can cause fatigue, headaches and the image may become blurry.
Hyperopia requires lenses designed to converge light, relieving the headaches and visual fatigue.
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Presbyopia
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Difficulty in changing focus from distance to near objects.
Virtually everyone is affected by presbyopia after the age of 40. Our ability to focus on close objects or small print gradually declines with age. Presbyopia will occur in addition to previous visual defects such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Essilor's Solutions to Presbyopia
We have developed a range of high quality lenses that rectify the difficulties associated with presbyopia. There are lenses for every person and every need.
Varilux Physio – The Highest Resolution Vision for unsurpassed sharpness
This is the first progressive lens ever to incorporate W.A.V.E Technology as used in laser surgery and advanced astronomy. It is the lens of choice for those who are in search of a high-tech and a precise solution for their visual needs. It offers unsurpassed sharpness and comfort in any activity.
Varilux Ipseo – The Personalised lens for Your Unique Vision
This is the world's first progressive lens to combine your very own physiological behaviour and your optical prescription to create a truly personalised lens. It is a totally custom-made progressive lens because every individual is unique.
Varilux Ellipse – The most natural Vision in Small Frames
This is a small frame progressive solution for the stylish presbyopes. It is the first progressive lens which takes into account the natural visual behaviour of small frame wearers. It offers full scale near vision even in small frames. A definite choice for a performance lens which does not compromise on fashion needs.
Varilux Comfort - The Most Comfortable vision for easy adaptation
This is the world's most prescribed progressive lens. It is an excellent all purpose lens which provides a very natural vision that is precise, accurate and comfortable. Its design respects the natural movement of the eyes, postural ergonomics and provides a very wide field of near vision. It allows you to see everything in an instant from near to far and everything in between.
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Astigmatism
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Light coming from a distant object is not all focused equally.
The cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, does most of the focusing of the light, enabling us to see clearly. However, the cornea is often not perfectly spherical but more like a rugby ball, a flat curve in one direction and a steep curve in the other. The result is that light coming from a distant object is not focussed equally. For example, looking at a telegraph pole, the vertical pole may be clear and the cross-arms blurred. Astigmatism often occurs to some degree with myopia and hyperopia and is easily corrected with lenses.
How the eye works
When we see, we’re seeing the reflection of light bouncing off the objects we look at. The front of the eye collects this light and focuses it on the rear of the eye, that then sends it to the brain for processing.
The structure of the human eye
Cornea & Lens
The cornea and the lens bend the incoming light, in such a way to focus the picture on the retina at the back of the eye. The lens fine tunes the focussing of this incoming light, to give us a clear and precise image.
Iris
The iris is the coloured ring at the front of our eye. It controls how much light is let into the eye, by changing the size of the pupil.
Pupil
The pupil is the dark hole in the middle of the iris. In bright light, the iris constricts, making the pupil small to let in less light, and in low light the pupil gets bigger to let in more.
Retina
The retina is located at the back of the eye, and is a light-sensitive layer consisting of two different kinds of cells - rod and cone cells. These cells collect the light, convert it to electrical signals and send these signals to the brain via the optic nerve.
Rod Cells
Rod cells are spread across the retina and help us see things that don't need detailed vision (ie. peripheral vision). This peripheral vision helps us with our mobility and getting around by stopping us from bumping into things. Rod cells also enable us to see things in dim light and see movement.
Cone Cells
Cone cells are located within the macula; the spot on the retina where the cornea and lens focus the light. Cone cells give us detailed vision for tasks such as reading, watching television or detailed handiwork. Cone cells also provide most of our ability to see colour.
Optic Nerve
The optic nerve receives the electrical signals from the retina and passes these to the brain via thousands of nerve fibres. The brain then processes these electrical signals into the image that we’re looking at.
