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Below are a few common sight problems encountered by people.
Myopia Sometimes called short-sightedness, this is when objects that are near you are clear but those that are far are blurry.
This may make it difficult to see road signs and hazards from a distance.
If you are seated at the back of a large conference room and you can't read the white board then consider getting an eye test.
Sometimes people are not aware that their vision isn't clear.
Hyperopia Also called 'long-sightedness', this is when objects that are far away appear clear but those that are near aren't.
Other symptoms are difficulty concentrating and headaches.
The mild cases do not require prescription lenses.
Astigmatism This is not a disease but an indication that you have a different shaped cornea.
Most people have slight astigmatism.
Unless this gives you persistent headaches, you won't need corrective glasses.
Presbyopia The eye muscles can find it difficult to clearly focus on objects as you age.
If you find yourself holding the object out (like a magazine) just so you can zoom in on the words then you should get a scan.
You should strongly consider this when you hit your forties.
These can be corrected by glasses or contact lenses.
Other conditions to look out for Dry eyes If you feel like there's something in your eyes, or its watery, itchy or burning it could mean that it's dry.
Don't scratch your eyes.
Try blinking more, drinking lots of water and looking away from the computer monitor every 45 minutes.
Spots These are common as you grow older.
If you notice a sudden and immediate change, then best to contact your optometrist.
Pterygium This is when there is a raised tissue spot around the white area of your eyes.
It will often appear on both eyes.
While it's not dangerous you should get sunglasses and lenses with UV protection.
Do not get cheap ones since the lenses may not have UV protection and can cause headaches due to the poor lens quality.
Cataract This is a natural result of ageing for most people.
It affects your vision by clouding the lens area.
It gets worse over time and distorts vision.
Colours may appear yellowish and shadows may appear as your eye moves.
See a doctor to be sure.
Glaucoma This is an eye disease that may lead to blindness.
Fibres at the back of the eye slowly die because of pressure build-up.
Symptoms may not be noticeable until quite advanced.
Age-related mascular degeneration This is the leading cause of blindness due to ageing.
Waste accumulates at the back of the eye affecting vision.
Another type causes new blood vessels to grow at the back of the eye.
As you get older you should strongly consider getting your eyes scanned.
Get an eye test if you experience any of these symptoms.
If you experience headaches it can sometimes be attributed to the eyes.
It is also wise to be proactive and have your eyes checked every six months for safety measure.
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