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Common Eye Conditions

Understanding why near objects are out of focus.

With normal vision, you enjoy a full range of clear vision - near, intermediate and distance.

Sharp, clear vision is the result of light rays passing through the cornea, pupil and lens and focusing directly upon the retina. If the cornea is not round, or if it is too steep or too flat in relation to the length of the eye, vision will be blurry. The light rays will focus either in front of or behind the retina, resulting in "refractive errors" such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Presbyopia

The presbyopic eye is unable to focus light from a near object, creating a blurred image of near objects.

Although difficult to pronounce, presbyopia (prez-bee-'O-pee-uh) is not a disease. It is an age-related condition that happens to all of us somewhere in our 40's or 50's. Over time the natural lens of the eye, the crystalline lens, gradually loses its flexibility. It becomes too stiff for its tiny muscles to change its curvature when looking from a distant object to a near one, or vice versa. As a result, near objects appear blurry.

Nearsightedness

With nearsightedness, distant objects appear blurry while very close objects usually appear more clearly.

Nearsightedness (myopia) occurs (a) when the cornea is too rounded, too steep in its curvature; or (b) the eyeball is too long. This makes the eye's refractive power too strong. It forces the image to be focused in front of the retina rather than upon it, as would happen in a normal eye. When light focuses in front of the retina, near objects can be seen clearly, but far objects appear blurry.

Farsightedness

The farsighted eye can usually see objects in the distance clearly, but near objects appear blurry.

Farsightedness (hyperopic) is caused when (a) the cornea is too flat; or (b) the eyeball is too short. Light focuses behind the retina. With farsightedness, the eye’s refractive power is too weak. When the image is focused behind the retina, far objects can be seen clearly and near objects appear blurred.

Astigmatism

With astigmatism, objects appear stretched and distorted.

Astigmatism is caused when the cornea is shaped irregularly like a football. That oval shape prevents light from converging on the retina. Instead, some parts of the image focus on the retina, while others focus behind it or in front of it. The light is being bent inconsistently, giving blurred images. Astigmatism can occur in addition to nearsightedness and farsightedness.

A comprehensive eye exam will determine which, if any, of these conditions apply to you. Of course, there are other eye diseases that may be affecting your vision. We encourage you to have an annual visual exam with the eye doctor of your choice to maintain healthy vision.

Contact us to learn if you are a potential research subject for this no-cost reading vision screening study.

Click here and answer a few questions to determine if you meet the requirements for the study.

This website contains general information about the AcuFocus Corneal Inlay clinical research study. This information is not intended to provide medical advice. Always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment.

Caution: Investigational Device. Limited by United States federal law to investigational use.