Do you sometimes have difficulty reading letters on a board that is far away? Or do you find the letters blurry when reading a newspaper or a book? Maybe when driving at night, do you see streaks around the lights of the car in front of you? If these are common experiences for you, you are not alone. This is a problem that millions of people in Sri Lanka and around the world have. So the simplest and best solution to this is to use eyeglasses. Today, let's talk about everything about these eyeglasses.
What exactly are these eyeglasses?
Simply put, eyeglasses are two lenses that are mounted in a frame that you wear on your face. Their main function is to correct certain vision defects in your eyes and help you see the world clearly. In medical terms, we call these vision defects 'refractive errors'. This means that there is some error in the way light enters the eye and focuses on the retina. Glasses correct that light pattern.
There are four main types of refractive errors that are most commonly seen in our eyes.
| Visual impairment | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| Nearsightedness / Myopia | You can see things that are close to you, such as a book or a phone, clearly. But things that are far away, such as a bus sign or a person on the street, appear blurry. This may be why schoolchildren can't see things on the blackboard. |
| Farsightedness / Hyperopia | This is the opposite of the previous one. You can see things far away clearly, but things up close, especially when reading a book or newspaper, are difficult to read, and the letters become blurry. |
| Astigmatism | In this condition, you may see both near and far objects to some extent that are blurred. A common symptom of this condition is the appearance of starbursts when looking at lights, especially at night. |
| Presbyopia (nearsightedness) as you age | This is not a disease, but a natural condition that occurs as we age, as the lens inside our eyes loses its flexibility. It usually starts after the age of 40. If you are trying to read newspapers or books from a distance, it could be because of this. |
How do these glasses actually work?
It's very simple. Think of your eye as a camera. We see something when light rays reflected from it enter our eye. These light rays first pass through the cornea, the transparent part at the front of the eye, and then through the lens inside the eye. These two parts work just like a camera lens, bending light and focusing it onto a screen called the retina, which is at the back of the eye.
What happens to someone with a refractive error is that this bending of light doesn't happen correctly. Light focuses either in front of or behind the retina. That's when we see images that are blurry.
So what eyeglasses do is, before light enters the eye, they add a little 'bend' to those light rays, causing them to focus exactly on the retina inside the eye. It's like fixing a mistake.
Sometimes, due to slight differences in the position of the eyes, double vision can occur. In such cases, special lenses can be used to correct this condition.
What kind of tests should be done before getting glasses?
This is very important. If you notice any vision problems, the first thing you should definitely do is get an eye exam. For this, you should see a qualified doctor.
During this exam, the doctor will check your:
- Clarity of vision
- Overall eye health
Both are tested. We've all heard the saying "20/20 vision." It means that you can see things 20 feet away as clearly as someone with healthy eyes can. If your vision is less than that, your doctor will measure how much it is and determine the prescription for the lenses you need to correct it.
If you already wear glasses, this test will also check whether the power of those glasses is now suitable for your eyes or if they need to be changed.
What types of eyeglass lenses are there?
There are many types of lenses, just like glasses. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate type of lens based on your needs. Let's take a look at the main types.
Main lens types
| Lens type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single-vision lenses | These lenses have the same power. That means they are used for the same purpose, either for distance vision or for near vision (reading). |
| Multifocal lenses | These powers are contained in the same lens. For example, there is one power for distance vision and another power for near vision (reading) in the same mirror. |
| Bifocals | This is a type of multifocal. The lens has two powers. Typically, the top part of the lens is used for distance vision, and the smaller part at the bottom is used for near vision (reading). A line separating these two parts is clearly visible on the lens. |
| Trifocals | This has three powers in the same lens - for distance, intermediate distance (like a computer), and near (for reading). Here too, the lines separating the powers are visible. |
| Progressive lenses | These are similar to bifocals, but the main difference is that there is no visible line separating the powers. The power of the lens gradually changes from top to bottom. This allows you to see clearly by tilting your head up or down slightly depending on the distance you are looking at. It looks like a regular mirror. |
| Reading glasses | These are single-vision lenses that are specifically designed for near vision. They are mainly used by people with presbyopia to read books. Although these can sometimes be purchased over the counter, it is best to see a doctor and have your eyes examined. |
| Prism lenses | This special type of lens is used to treat double vision caused by a misalignment of the eyes. |
Other specialized lens types
These sometimes come as features that you can add to your prescription.
- Sunglasses: If you're someone who always needs to wear glasses, you can get your prescription sunglasses made for you. That way, you won't need two separate pairs of glasses when you're out in the sun.
- Blue light-blocking glasses: These can help reduce eye strain and fatigue for those who spend a lot of time staring at screens like computers and smartphones. You can also add a blue-blocking coating to your regular glasses.
- Photochromic lenses: These are what we call "auto glasses." When you go out in the sun, these lenses automatically darken and become like sunglasses, and when you come indoors, they turn back into normal, transparent lenses.
Are there any side effects from wearing glasses?
In fact, eyeglasses are a very safe device. There are almost no serious side effects. However, some minor discomforts can occur when you first wear them or when you change the power.
- Difficulty adjusting to the lenses: It can take a few days for your eyes to adjust to a new prescription. Some complex lenses, such as progressives, can take a week or two to adjust. You may feel a little dizzy during this time. This is normal. However, if the discomfort persists, see your doctor again.
- Frame discomfort: If the frame feels tight on your nose or ears, you can adjust it a little. You can do this right where you bought the glasses.
- Eye strain and headaches: In the early days of wearing new glasses, you may experience eye pain and headaches, especially when reading books or working on the computer. This usually goes away in a few days. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms while wearing your old glasses, it may mean that your vision has changed. Then you should definitely have your eyes checked.
How do I take care of my glasses?
Your glasses are as valuable as your eyes, so you need to take good care of them.
- When not in use: Always keep it in the hard-shell case that comes with it. This protects it from drops and scratches.
- When cleaning:
- First, wet it a little with water. Then use a spray designed for cleaning mirrors or a little soapy water.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe.
- Never wipe your lenses with tissues, toilet paper, or paper towels. The tiny fibers in them can scratch the lenses.
- Don't wipe your lenses with your clothes, sari, or shirt. That's a mistake many people make. Dust particles on your clothes can damage the lenses.
What time should I see a doctor?
It is generally a good idea for everyone to have their eyes checked at least once a year, or at most once every two years. If you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should have your eyes checked at the same intervals as your doctor recommends.
Additionally, if you notice the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately:
- If you have a sudden change in your vision.
- If your eyes always feel tired and heavy.
- If you have frequent headaches.
- If there is pain in the eyes.
- Difficulty looking at bright light (light sensitivity).
Is it cheaper to buy glasses online? Things you need to know
These days, like many things, you can order glasses online. Sometimes the price can be lower. But if you do that, be careful about these things.
The bottom line: No amount of online eye-testing apps or websites can match a full eye exam by a doctor. To truly understand the health of your eyes, it's essential to see a doctor.
- Have a current prescription: To order online, you must have a valid prescription from a doctor. If it's more than a year old, it may be out of date.
- Know your Pupillary Distance (PD): This is the distance between the center of your pupil. This measurement is essential for proper fitting of your glasses. Ask your doctor or optician to measure this when you get your eyes checked.
- Check the warranty: When buying online, carefully read the warranty and terms and conditions for the frame and lenses.
Eyeglasses are something that brings great convenience and clarity to your life. If you are experiencing even the slightest difficulty in your vision, do not ignore it, but see a doctor today and get advice. It will be the biggest investment you can make in the health of your eyes.
Take-Home Message
- If you are having difficulty seeing far or near, experiencing headaches, or experiencing eye strain, don't ignore it. It could be a sign of vision impairment.
- Before purchasing glasses, always get a complete eye exam from a qualified doctor . It can help correct your vision as well as detect other eye conditions.
- Talk to your doctor to choose the type of lens (e.g. Bifocal, Progressive) that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
- It is normal to take a few days to get used to new glasses. If the discomfort persists, seek medical advice again.
- You can extend the life of your glasses by cleaning them properly and storing them safely.
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