If you have trouble seeing properly, you should get your eyes checked by an optometrist. Some eye conditions can be treated with prescription glasses or contacts, while others may require surgery.

This post discusses three common eye conditions that require prescription glasses. So if you have vision problems, be sure to read on.

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry. If you're nearsighted, it means that your eyeball is too long or your cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) is too curved. This issue causes light to bend incorrectly and prevents you from seeing distant objects clearly.

Nearsightedness is a very common condition, affecting about 30% of the population. For some people, it develops in childhood and becomes worse during the teenage years. And while it can't be cured, it can be treated with prescription glasses or contact lenses.

You'll likely need to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time in order to see clearly. These glasses or contacts will correct the way that light bends as it enters your eye, allowing you to see distant objects clearly.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is another refractive error that causes blurred vision. It is usually hereditary and often develops alongside nearsightedness or farsightedness. The condition occurs when your eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football. This irregular shape prevents light from entering your eye in a straight line. As a result, images appear blurry and stretched out.

Unlike nearsightedness, astigmatism can't be corrected with just glasses or contact lenses. Instead, you'll need to wear specialty lenses called toric lenses, designed to correct astigmatism. Toric lenses are made of rigid gas permeable (GP) material or soft contact lens material. They have different powers in different areas to correct the way light bends as it enters your eye. This allows you to see distant and close objects more clearly.

Farsightedness

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common vision condition that affects millions of people around the world. If you are farsighted, it means that your eyes are unable to focus on close objects clearly. This can make reading and other close-up tasks difficult.

Farsightedness is usually caused by the eyeball being too short or the cornea being too flat. It can also be due to a combination of these factors.

Prescription glasses are the most common treatment for farsightedness. By wearing corrective lenses, farsighted people can bring objects into focus and improve their vision. For some people, contact lenses may be a better option than glasses. Speak with your optometrist to understand the best option for you.

Farsightedness can also be treated with surgery, such as LASIK or PRK. These vision correction surgeries can permanently improve your vision, so you won't need to wear glasses or contacts anymore.

These are just a few of the most common eye conditions that require prescription glasses. If you think you might have one of these conditions, schedule an appointment with your optometrist. They will be able to give you a thorough eye exam and determine the best course of treatment for you. 

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