• Newborn infants are able to see, but as they use their eyes during the first months of life, vision improves. During early childhood years, the visual system changes quickly, and vision continues to develop. If a child cannot use his or her eyes normally, vision does not develop properly and may even decrease. After the first nine years of life, the visual system is usually fully developed and usually cannot be changed.


• The development of equal vision in both eyes is necessary for normal vision. Many occupations are not open to people who have good vision in one eye only. If the vision in one eye should be lost later in life from an accident or illness, it is essential that the other eye have normal vision. Without normal vision in at least one eye, a person is visually impaired.

When you take a picture, the lens in the front of the camera allows light through and focuses that light on the film that covers the back inside wall of the camera. When the light hits the film, a picture is taken. The eye works in much the same way. The front parts of the eye (the cornea, pupil and lens) are clear and allow light to pass through. The light also passes through the large space in the centre of the eye called the vitreous cavity.

The vitreous cavity is filled with a clear, jelly-like substance called the vitreous or vitreous gel. The light is focused by the cornea and the lens onto a thin layer of tissue called the retina, which covers the back inside wall of the eye. The retina is like the film in a camera. It is the seeing tissue of the eye. When the focused light hits the retina, a picture is taken. Messages about this picture are sent to the brain through the optic nerve. This is how we see.

1. When should my child’s eyes be examined?

   Most paediatricians test vision as part of a child’s medical examination. They may refer a child to an ophthalmologist if there is any sign of an eye condition. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Paediatrics recommend the first vision screening occur in the hospital as part of a newborn baby’s discharge examination.

   Visual function (including ocular alignment, etc.) also should be checked by the paediatrician or family physician during routine well-child exams (typically at two, four, and six months of age). Later amblyopia and repeat alignment screenings should take place at three years of age and then yearly after school age.

   If you suspect your child suffers from decreased vision:
   • Amblyopia (poor vision in an otherwise normal appearing eye), refractive error (nearsightedness or farsightedness), or strabismus (misalignment of the eye in any direction).
   • If there are hereditary factors that might predispose your child to eye disease, please make an appointment with our paediatric ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
   • New techniques make it possible to test vision in infants and young children.
   • If there is a family history of misaligned eyes, childhood cataracts, or a serious eye disease, an ophthalmologist can begin checking your child’s vision at a very early age.
2. When should an adult’s eyes be examined?

   Adults should undergo eye examinations at the following intervals:

   • Individuals aged 18-39 with no vision problems or risk factors should have their eyes examined every 1-2 years.
   • Adults over 40 years old with no additional risk factors should schedule annual eye exams.
   • Patients with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or other systemic diseases, should undergo eye examinations every six months as they are more at risk of ocular complications.
   • Even individuals with glaucoma or a strong family history of glaucoma need prompt check-ups.

• The medical term for near-sightedness is myopia, correctable with glasses, contact lenses or, in some cases, refractive surgery.
• The medical term for far-sightedness is hyperopia, correctable with glasses, contact lenses or, in some cases, refractive surgery.
• Related conditions (also correctable with glasses or contact lenses or refractive surgery ) include astigmatismand presbyopia.

1. What Is visual acuity?
   

   Acuity is the measure of the eye’s ability to distinguish the smallest identifiable letter or symbol, its details and shape, usually at a distance of 20 feet. This measurement is usually given in a fraction. The top number refers to the testing distance measured in feet and the bottom number is the distance from which a normal eye should see the letter or shape. So, perfect vision is 20/20. If your vision is 20/60, that means what you can see at a distance of 20 feet, someone with perfect vision can see at a distance of 60 feet.



2. What Is legal blindness?
   

   You are legally blind when the best corrected central acuity is less than 20/200 (perfect visual acuity is 20/20) in the better eye, or your field of vision is narrowed to 20 degrees or less in the better eye. Even if you are legally blind, you may still have some useful vision. If you are legally blind, you may qualify for certain government benefits.



3. What Is visual impairment?
   

   Visual acuity less than 20/60 in the better eye without improvement from glasses or contact lenses is defined as visually impaired. In addition, poor night vision, limited side vision, double vision, and loss of vision in one eye may also determine visual impairment. Visual impairment may cause the individual difficulties with normal daily tasks, including reading and walking.



4. What Is low vision?
   

   Low vision is a term describing a level of vision below normal (20/70 or worse) in the better eye, that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments. Low vision is not the same as blindness. People with low vision can use their sight. However, low vision may interfere with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

1. Can my child wear contact lenses during sports activities?
   

   Yes, contact lenses provide excellent vision for most sports. However, they do not protect the eyes from injury. Therefore, contact lens wearers should use polycarbonate sports safety goggles or glasses when participating in sports.



2. Do contact lenses prevent nearsightedness (myopia) from getting worse?
   

   Wearing conventional contact lenses does not prevent myopia from getting worse.



3. Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy over-the-counter contact lenses?
   

   No, because it does not provide the specifications for lens diameter, thickness, and base curve. A new prescription must be carefully fitted by an eye care specialist to avoid serious adverse reactions.



4. Is it safe for me to clean my contact lenses with a homemade solution?
   

   Using commercial saline solutions is the safest method of cleaning lenses. Some studies have shown that homemade solutions may lead to corneal infections.

1. Will working at a computer screen hurt my eyes?
   

   No, there is no evidence that working at a computer damages the eyes. However, long hours of work can be fatiguing to the eyes, neck, and back. Monitor glare from various light sources can also be a problem. It is often helpful to take periodic breaks, look off into the distance, and adjust your workstation (angle of the monitor, height of the chair, changing the lighting, etc.).



2. Will sitting too close to the television set hurt my child’s eyes?
   

   No, there is no scientific evidence that TV sets emit rays that are harmful to the eyes.



3. Are sunglasses good for my eyes?
   

   There is a benefit to wearing UV protective lenses—wearing them may protect against early cataract formation. Clear lenses with UV protection may offer greater protection than dark lenses because they allow the eyes to be exposed to more light. This causes greater constriction of the pupil, which lets less light enter the eyes.



4. Will reading in dim light hurt my eyes?
   

   No, but most people are more comfortable reading with proper lighting that is bright enough to provide good illumination but not so bright as to cause glare.

1. Why am I gradually finding it harder to read without glasses?
   

   The ability to focus on near objects decreases steadily with age and is referred to as presbyopia. Presbyopia is a natural aging of the lens. It is usually near the age of 40 when glasses or bifocals are prescribed to correct this condition.



2. Is my child likely to inherit my need for glasses?
   

   Possibly. If both biological parents wear glasses, your children are likely to need them as well.



3. How often do I need to get my prescription changed?
   

   There is no predetermined schedule for changing glasses or contacts. It is necessary to change your prescription only when it no longer provides adequate correction. However, it is still a good idea to have regular eye examinations as advised by your ophthalmologist.



4. What materials are available for glasses?
   

   Some of the newest materials for frames include titanium (virtually indestructible) and polycarbonate materials (recommended for high-impact sports). Lenses are also made from polycarbonate materials, other types of lightweight plastics, and glass. Coatings include UV protection (recommended for all types of lenses), scratch-resistant protection, polarization, anti-glare, and others.

1. Why did my eyelid start to twitch?
   

   Mild twitching of the eyelid is a common phenomenon. Although these involuntary contractions of muscles are annoying, they are almost always temporary and completely harmless. The medical name for this kind of twitching is ocular myokymia. It is quite common and most often associated with fatigue. When your eye is twitching, it is usually not visible to anyone else.



2. How can I make it stop?
   

   Ophthalmologists are often asked what causes the twitching and what can be done to stop it. Lack of sleep, too much caffeine, or increased stress seem to be root causes. Often, gently massaging your eye will relieve the symptoms. Usually, the twitch will disappear after catching up on your sleep. In case of persistent twitching, you may be advised other treatment modalities.

• Is pink-eye contagious?
  Yes, viral conjunctivitis (pink-eye) is very common and is extremely contagious. Avoid touching eyes with your hands, wash hands frequently, do not share towels, and avoid work, school or daycare activities for a least five days or as long as discharge is present. The infection can take longer to totally clear from your eyes.

• An Ophthalmologist (DO / MS / MD / DNB):
  

  An Ophthalmologist has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. They have had at least 12 years of education and training beyond high school and are qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform surgery, and prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.



• An Optometrist:
  

  An Optometrist has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. They have had at least three years of education and training beyond high school and are qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses, prescribe optical correction, and screen for some eye conditions under the guidance of an Ophthalmologist.



• An Optician:
  

  An Optician usually has on-the-job training. They are trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based on a prescription from a licensed Ophthalmologist or Optometrist.