Vision Problems

If you have blurry vision, it possibly due to one of these conditions:

They are common problems that cause vision of near and/or distant objects to be blurry.  Around 93% of Australians over 55 have at least one of these conditions.

The good news is they’re easily and effectively treated by an optometrist. If you feel your vision could be clearer, why not book in for an eye test?

Don’t put up with poor vision when you could be seeing clearly.

Do any of these vision conditions sound familiar?

If you start to experience any of the symptoms mentioned, we recommend you make an appointment to see our Optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam.

Myopia

Short Sightedness

Short sightedness is when you can see near objects clearly, but anything more than a few meters away is blurry – such as street signs and television screens.

It happens because the focal point is converging in front of the retina, rather than at the retina – a condition known as Myopia.

It is easily treated using a concave lens in glasses or contact lenses. The lens pushes the focal point back to the retina, giving clear vision.

Symptoms
  • Excessive blinking when driving
  • Squinting while driving
  • Headaches after driving
  • Headaches in your forehead
  • Easier to see things that are close by
  • Difficulty seeing shop signs across the road
  • Difficulty seeing street signs while driving
  • Difficulty reading text on the television
Vision conditions, Vision Problems, The Eye Place
Hyperopia

Long Sightedness

Long sightedness is when you can see distant objects clearly, but anything within arm’s reach is blurry – such as a book or phone.
It happens because the focal point is converging behind the retina, rather than at the retina – a condition known as hyperopia.
Hyperopia has similar symptoms to presbyopia, but is caused by the eye being too short or not having strong enough focusing power. Presbyopia occurs as eyes grow older. Hyperopia can occur at any age.
A convex lens in glasses or contact lenses is used to bring the focal point back to the retina, giving clear vision.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms, book an eye test so you can get on with seeing things clearly.

Symptoms
  • The further away something is, the clearer you can see it
  • Things within arm’s reach are blurry
  • Tired after doing close work
  • Headaches that you can feel around your temples and/or behind your eyes
  • Struggle to read or do close work for long periods of time
  • You can clearly see the television, but the remote control is blurry
Vision conditions, Vision Problems, The Eye Place
Astigmatism

Blurred & distorted vision

Astigmatism is a condition that causes blurry vision at all distances. It can also cause distorted or ghosted vision, as seen in the image of the stop sign. 

It occurs when there are irregularities in the curvature of the cornea, the surface of the eye. This impacts the way light passes through the eye to the retina, as demonstrated in the diagram. 

The condition can be corrected for using glasses or contact lenses. The lenses will bend the light back to the retina – providing clear vision.

Astigmatism is reasonably common, affecting at least 1.4 million Australians and needs to be treated by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Our team are highly experienced in treating this condition. We will also assess your condition to determine if you could benefit from surgery or laser treatment, and will refer you to the appropriate ophthalmologist if needed.

Symptoms
  • Everything seems out of focus
  • Squinting makes things a little clearer
  • Frequent headaches
  • Vision is clearer when you cover one eye
  • Night driving is difficult
  • Lights appear streaky and glary
  • Vision is distorted
Vision conditions, Vision Problems, The Eye Place
Vision conditions, Vision Problems, The Eye Place
Presbyopia

Vision after 40

Everyone between the ages of 40 and 65 is experiencing some form of presbyopia.

Presbyopia is when the eye losses its ability to focus quickly on close objects. It occurs as the eye ages, from 40 onwards.

The lens in the eye becomes less flexible which impacts its ability to bend light properly, resulting in blurry near vision.

Some people will experience presbyopia earlier than others. Some will notice a sudden change while others will experience a gradual decline in their near vision.

Presbyopia is easily fixed with the correct pair of reading glasses. People are always amazed just how much difference their new glasses make, especially those who have experienced a gradual decline in their vision and have been compensating and adjusting for several years.

If you’re noticing a change in your near vision, it’s probably time for an eye test.

Your arm can only stretch so far, and you don’t need to keep putting up with blurry vision.

Symptoms
  • Holding reading material farther away makes the letters clearer
  • Blurred vision at reading distance
  • Restaurant menus are blurry
  • Food labels are blurry
  • Headaches after reading or doing close work
  • You’re over 40
Vision conditions, Vision Problems, The Eye Place