| Research shows over 50% of the population over | | | | shape. This causes blurry vision. Astigmatism can |
| 15 years old use glasses. This number jumps | | | | only cause headaches, fatigue and reduced |
| significantly to over 85%, over the age of 45. | | | | concentration. |
| Why are so many people wearing glasses? | | | | 4. Presbyopia |
| Answer: because of blurry vision. | | | | Presbyopia is a common condition which makes |
| So let’s look at this subject in more detail. | | | | reading difficult. This is usually first noticed around |
| What causes Blurry Vision? There are many | | | | the age of 40 to 50 years, and is part of the |
| reasons, here are the top 5 causes: | | | | normal aging process. This can happens because |
| 1. Long-sighted | | | | after 40 years old, the lens inside the eye starts |
| 2. Short-sighted | | | | to lose its strength. This loss in strength makes it |
| 3. Astigmatism | | | | difficult for a person to focus clearly, and tasks |
| 4. Presbyopia | | | | such as reading and computer use become |
| 5. Weak Eye Muscles | | | | difficult. You might notice blurry vision, sore eyes, |
| 1. Long-sighted (Hyperopia) | | | | headaches or tiredness resulting from reading or |
| Longsightedness, is when your eyes focus images | | | | computer use. |
| behind your retina (back of your eyes). This | | | | 5. Weak Eye Muscles |
| mainly affects reading, computer use and office | | | | Muscles are need for focusing (accommodation) |
| tasks. Longsighted can cause symptoms such as | | | | and moving the eyes across a page (Eye |
| blurry vision, headaches and tired eyes after a | | | | tracking). If the eye muscles are weak, they tire |
| period of concentrated visual work. Reading | | | | easily resulting in blurry vision. |
| becomes more difficult and school work can be | | | | The optometrist can help alleviate symptoms with |
| affected. | | | | eye exercises or spectacles for close work such |
| 2. Myopia (short-sighted) | | | | as reading and using computers. |
| A myopic, or shortsighted person, has difficulty | | | | Other Causes: |
| seeing objects in the distance. These include blurry | | | | Other causes of blurry vision include dry eyes, |
| road signs, blackboards in a classroom, or | | | | watery eyes and eye infections. More serious eye |
| scoreboards at a sporting event. Myopia is a | | | | diseases can also cause blurry vision including |
| common condition, occurring in about 15% of the | | | | catatract, glaucoma, macular degeneration and |
| population. Often, a person will not realize that | | | | diabetic eye damage. |
| they cannot see clearly, especially with mild | | | | What do I do? |
| shortsightedness. However, an eye examination | | | | If you notice blurry vision, make sure you make |
| by an optometrist will reveal the problem. | | | | an appointment with an Optometrist. They will |
| Although there is no certain prevention for | | | | provide a comprehensive eye check up and |
| myopia, properly prescribed spectacles or contact | | | | discuss the causes with you. |
| lenses will enable a person to see clearly. | | | | Most commonly blurry vision is treated with |
| 3. Astigmatism | | | | glasses or vision therapy. If a more serious eye |
| Astigmatism is when the shape of the cornea | | | | condition is found, the optometrist will discuss the |
| (front of the eyes) is not spherical, but oval in | | | | treatment with you. |