Almost half of the people in the United States are either nearsighted or farsighted. In fact, according to some statistics, nearly 40 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with myopia or nearsightedness. Farsightedness in the United States is far less common, with only 5 to 10 percent of the population having hyperopia.
If you suffer from a refractive error such as farsightedness or nearsightedness, Dr. Michael R. Young, our optometrist in Redding, CA can help.
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness means that you can see objects if they are up close, but you can’t see them as clearly if the objects are further away. Genetics is one of the main causes of nearsightedness. Other causes for the development of nearsightedness include eyestrain, which can happen when you’re not using enough light to read or you are staring at screens for too long.
For most children, a diagnosis of nearsightedness usually occurs when they are between the ages of 8 and 12, and it can worsen as they get older. Children whose parents are both nearsighted can be more likely to get diagnosed with this condition. Some of the primary symptoms associated with nearsightedness include:
- Frequent headaches
- Eyestrain
- Squinting
If you live in Shasta County, Siskiyou County, or Tehama and Trinity counties, our optometrist can diagnose nearsightedness with an eye examination and recommend the proper treatment, which usually includes eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options for Farsightedness
Farsightedness is a type of refractive error where you can see distant objects more clearly than objects that are close by. If you have significant farsightedness, objects that are both far away or close by appear to be blurry. Farsightedness can be genetic as it often tends to run in families. This condition can also develop when images get focuses behind the retina, and not on the retina.
Farsightedness affects both adults and children. Some children are farsighted at birth but can outgrow the condition as their eyeballs lengthen. Some of the primary symptoms associated with farsightedness include:
- Squinting in order to see clearly
- Eyestrain or aching around the eyes
- Eye discomfort after completing close tasks such as reading
Our optometrist can diagnose farsightedness with a dilated eye examination and recommend the proper treatment, which usually includes eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
Contact Our Redding, CA Optometrist Today
If you believe you may be nearsighted or farsighted, or are experiencing any other vision problems, contact Redding Eyecare Center at (530) 222-1233. We are located in Redding, CA and also service Shasta County, Siskiyou County, and Tehama and Trinity counties.