Presbyopia A condition caused by a change in the flexibility of our crystalline lens as we age. Our lens changes shape so that we can accommodate to adjust focus. This decrease in accommodation makes near vision more difficult causing small print to become blurred and can often lead to eye strain. This change typically becomes noticeable in the early to mid 40’s and poor lighting conditions often exacerbate the problem. Symptoms: Holding reading material out at arms length to focus on the words Problems reading the dashboard while driving in the evening or at night Difficulty reading in dimmed light Experiencing headaches and eye pain after reading Treatment: Presbyopia can be corrected for with several different types of spectacles or...

Also known as digital eye strain, computer vision syndrome is a group of eye and vision related problems that results from extended computer, tablet, or cell phone use. These symptoms can be exacerbated by poor lighting, glare on screens, improper viewing distance, poor seating posture, or uncorrected vision problems. Symptoms eye strain,  headaches,  difficulty focusing,  eye irritation,  dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain.  Treatment: One simple tip to help alleviate digital eye strain is to take periodic rest breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.  It is important to wear glasses adjusted for the distance of a computer.  Normally this is farther than where a book is read and should...

The focusing or accommodative system in our eyes is what allows us to change focus on objects that are at distance and near. Sometimes individuals may have a weak focusing system. This condition can occur in younger patients as well as when we age.  Symptoms: Blurred vision at near Eyestrain fatigue.  Treatment: Vision therapy can be used to increase the strength and flexibility of the focusing system can be another solution.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness) A vision condition that often allows distant objects to be seen clearly but near vision is blurry. The eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature to focus light precisely on the back of the eye. Close vision is affected as well as distance in some cases. The eye requires extra effort to see up close. Symptoms: eye strain,  headaches,  difficulty concentrating, intermittent blurred vision Treatment:Hypermetropia can be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or other refractive procedures.  

Myopia (Nearsightedness) A vision condition that causes blurred distance vision but near vision is often clear. Blurred distance vision is most often noticed with tasks such as seeing the whiteboard at school, watching the television, or driving. The eyeball is too long or the cornea has more curvature than needed to focus light precisely on the back of the eye. As a result, light rays focus in front of the retina instead of on it. In this case, you see near objects clearly, but distant objects will appear blurred. Symptoms eyestrain, headaches, squinting to see properly, and difficulty seeing objects far away Treatment:Nearsightedness can be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or other refractive procedures.  

Astigmatism A vision condition that causes blurred vision. The curvature of the cornea and lens bends light to focus it precisely on the back of the eye. With astigmatism the lens or cornea may have a different curvature in one direction causing light to be focused in two different places on the retina. Small amounts of astigmatism are common and may not have a large effect on vision.  Symptoms: Blurry or distorted vision.  Treatment: Astigmatism can be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or other refractive procedures.