Astigmatism

Astigmatism usually occurs when the front surface of the eye, the cornea, has an irregular
curvature. Astigmatism usually occurs when the front surface of the eye, the cornea, has an
irregular curvature. In astigmatism, the front surface of the cornea is curved more in one
direction than in the other. This abnormality may result in vision that is much like looking into a
distorted, wavy mirror. The distortion results because of an inability of the eye to focus light rays
to a point.
Symptoms
Distortion or blurring of images at all distances
Headache and fatigue
Suinting and eye discomfort or irritation
Astigmatism can be corrected by hard contact lenses or eyeglasses

Diagram of Astigmatism
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Short sightedness
The medical term for short!sightedness is referred to as myopia. It is a visual defect that results
in the eye being too long from front to back, or from the cornea being too steeply curved. "hen
light comes into the eye, it is focused onto the retina. A clear image is obtained if the light is
properly focused on the retina. This is normal vision. #ear sightedness can be corrected by
eyeglasses with concave lenses.
Diagram of short sightedness
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Far sightedness
Hyperopia $farsightedness% is the condition of the eye where incoming rays of light reach the
retina before they converge into a focused image.
Description
"hen light goes through transparent but dense material like the materials of the eye&s lens system
$the lens and cornea%, its velocity decreases. If the surface of the dense material is not
perpendicular to the incoming light, as is the case with the curved surfaces on lenses and corneas,
the direction of the light changes. The greater the curvature of the lens system, the greater the
change in the direction of the light.
"hen parallel light rays from an ob'ect go through the lens system of the eye, they are bent so
they converge at a point some distance behind the lens. "ith perfect vision this point of
convergence, where the light rays are focused, is on the retina. (ar sightedness can be corrected
with eyeglasses with conve) lenses.
Diagram of far sightedness
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Glaucoma
Definition - What is Glaucoma?
*laucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damage. In glaucoma, eye pressure
plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibers of the optic nerve. "hen a significant number
of nerve fibers are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. +nce nerve damage and
visual loss occur, it is permanent. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness results. ,arly
detection and treatment by your ophthalmologist are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage
and vision loss from glaucoma. *laucoma can be treated by laser surgery or eye drops and
prescription drugs.
Diagram of Glaucoma
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Cataract
Definition
A cataract is a clouding of the eye&s lens. -ost cataracts are related to age. -ost people do not
even reali.e they have a cataract, because cataracts grow very slowly and may not impede vision
early on. After a number of years vision will likely be affected. The lens can then no longer
transmit a clear picture to the retina where it can be processed and sent through the optic nerve to
the brain. Surgery is the only treatment. /ou should not consider surgery until the cataract is fully
developed
Diagram of Cataract
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Ways to take care of your eyes
0. Avoid working at night and in artificially lighted rooms.
1. Always make sure your workplace is well lit.
2. 3eople with eyeglasses should visit their optometrist regularly.
4. ,at a lot of fruits and vegetables.
5. "hen using the computer take little breaks every 05 minutes to give your eyes a rest.
6. 7se safety goggles when doing things such as playing sports and welding
8. -ake sure you get adeuate rest.
Four instruments to help you see are:
1. Eye glasses
2. Hard contact lenses
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3. Magnifying glass
4. Intra ocular lenses
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