You may not know that you need glasses. If your vision is less than perfect and has been for some time you may be acclimated to what you see and perceive it as normal. This is not unusual for people with minor vision problems.
One way to be certain is to get a vision test from a qualified professional. You might be experiencing headaches and not know the cause. This can be a symptom of vision problems that could be solved by getting prescription glasses. You may notice an immediate benefit when you try lenses that are appropriate for your eyes. The world will suddenly snap into focus and you may realize for the first time how much better you can actually see.
There are many reasons why your vision could be less than normal. Conditions include Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia. All of these are problems with the way your eye processes light that comes into it. To be accurately processed by the eye the lens and other parts work together to send the signal of what is being seen to the brain, through the optic nerve. When someone has Myopia they can see what is near to them but not far. You could read a book or newspaper but not be able to view a movie screen or traffic sign clearly. This is commonly called near-sightedness. Myopia is due to the eye being longer than what is considered normal and is easily correctable with corrective lenses.
The opposite of Myopia is Hyperopia or farsightedness. This is when near objects are hard to see clearly and far objects may be viewed normally. You often see people holding a book or magazine at arm length as they try to focus on the letters. This is common with someone who has Hyperopia. The eye is shorter than normal when you are farsighted and this causes the image you see to be unclear when objects are close.
Unfortunately you may suffer from both of the above conditions. Some people will require a corrective lens for near viewing, and one for far viewing. Having a bi-focal lens is the fix for this problem. You would look through the bottom part of the lens to view near objects, and through the middle part to view distances. There are bi-focal lenses with no lines between the two sections so the look of a single lens is maintained. Optical Express can provide more information on this type of correction and any type glasses needed.
Presbyopia is a problem where the eye is losing its elasticity due mainly to aging. Glasses can help correct this condition and restore normal vision.
Astigmatism is the problem with the lens of your eye that can cause out of focus viewing. This can also lead to headaches and discomfort. You can have Astigmatism with both Myopia and Hyperopia. Your glasses will contain a special lens to correct this condition along with your distance correction.
Eye injuries are common, especially those that occur on the job or in a sports environment. Home accidents and hobbies that involve tools can also be a cause. When an accident involves the eye, all too often it will be ignored for some time, expecting that with rest and minor care the eye will be fine. This is not always true and with the sensitive nature of the eyes and the tissues in them, it is important to be carefully checked by a professional who can determine if debris is in the eye, or if any damage has already occurred. Merely cleaning the eye with an over the counter solution will not always prevent damage. Scratching of the outer lens and irritation can lead to larger problems if left unattended.
Your vision is too important to take chances with, so be sure to get a thorough eye exam at least yearly and consider that glasses can help you see better and give you a fashionable appearance too.
