About the eye

Common eye problems

When it comes to the eyes, there are many types of eye problems. Some are common and can be treated, while others are sight-threatening and not so easily corrected or overcome.

Short and long sightedness

Short sightedness (myopia) and long sightedness (hypermetropia) are common conditions that can be overcome by wearing glasses. Both are caused when the cornea and lens do not focus properly on the retina. A short-sighted person’s near vision is clear, but distant objects appear blurred. It occurs when the eyeball is elongated or the lens is too thick, causing the image to focus in front of the retina. A long-sighted person’s distant vision is clear, but nearby objects appear out of focus. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the lens too thin, causing the image to focus behind the retina.

Cataract, trachoma, glaucoma and river blindness

The main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment include cataract, trachoma, glaucoma and river blindness. These conditions if left untreated can cause complete blindness.