If you start to notice signs of near-sightedness with your vision, is it essential to make an appointment with an optometrist? It's not mandatory, but at the very least, it's a sensible move. You may not be aware of the extent of your near-sightedness, and there's also the risk that a self-diagnosis is a misdiagnosis. What can an optometrist do for you?
Point of Comparison
Obviously, you have no point of comparison for your vision—you see what you see, and you don't know any difference. This is why slow-developing symptoms of near-sightedness are integrated and normalised, and it may take some time to become aware of any problem. What are some of the signs that allude to a possible issue?
Near or Far
Near-sightedness means that objects in the distance may appear blurred or out of focus to varying degrees. This can become evident when watching sports, going to the movies, or driving. Closer objects (such as when reading, having a face-to-face conversation, or watching TV) appear to be in perfect focus. Near-sightedness is classified as a refractive error.
Your Eyeball
A refractive error is in fact due to a minor abnormality with your eyeball, affecting the way in which light refracts through your retina. Near-sightedness is often due to a slightly elongated eyeball or cornea. There's nothing wrong with the anatomy of your eye, so please don't be concerned. Refractive errors are very common, and may not necessarily need treatment.
Vision Aids
Any treatment will be minor, as your condition is more or less asymptomatic. You don't require the permanent, comprehensive results of corrective eye surgery. At most, you will need some form of vision aid, namely glasses or contact lenses. Glasses (with their immediate detachability) offer a more practical solution to minor near-sightedness. You can wear them as needed, like when you're driving.
Vision Test
Even if you feel that you don't need a vision aid just yet, it's still wise to visit an optometrist for a vision test. This test will quickly rule out other potential (and more serious causes) of your vision impairment, such as cataracts, symptoms of early diabetic retinopathy, or general macular degeneration. These conditions require medical treatment, so having them formally excluded can be wise when you notice any changes to your vision.
Near-sightedness can progress with age, so it's sensible to have the condition managed in its early stages. You may have become accustomed to the condition, so you could be surprised at what an optometrist can do to improve your vision.
Contact a local optometrist to learn more.
I was not that surprised to find out that all three of my children are short-sighted considering that I have worn glasses since I was five. Eye health in children is an important topic to know about because it can impact on their learning at school. I began this blog to share eye health tips I have received from our optometrist. My blog posts will cover all things eye health like explaining optometry appointments to children so they know what to expect, and how to tell your child needs a visit to the optometrist sooner than their annual checkup. Don't let eye issues stop your children from excelling at school.