Nearsightedness – Myopia, often called nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors. It simply means that you cannot see objects in the distance, but nearby objects are still clear. It is also sometimes referred to as shortsightedness. Myopia usually starts in childhood and affects about 1 out of 3 adults. It is caused by the eyeball being either too long or the cornea too curved. Myopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction surgery.

Farsightedness – Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, is a vision problem where near vision is poor but far vision is normal. In this condition, the eyeball may be too short or the cornea is not curved enough. The most common cause of hyperopia is genetics. Like myopia, it can also be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lens and refractive eye surgery like LASIK.

Astigmatism – Astigmatism is a more complex type of refractive error. It is due to the cornea having an uneven curvature. Light in some areas are bent more than light in others. The lens cannot change shape to accommodate for all these variations and vision is therefore blurred. Astigmatism is a very common vision problem, but it is usually so minor in most people that it goes by unnoticed. Given the complexity of the problem, there are various different types of astigmatism. It can also be treated with eyeglasses, contact lens and refractive surgery.

Other causes for bad vision could include loss of eyesight caused by diabetes, cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts and glaucoma are both much more common in elderly people, though they can occur in any age group. Cataracts are a clouding on the surface of the eyeball and can usually be removed by surgery.

If you’re experiencing bad vision, contact Palmetto Eye and Laser at 864-583-6381 or website to schedule an exam with Dr. Haguewood.