Vision problems are common in the teenage years due to raid growth.Refractive errors are manifested during this periodThey may present with the following symptoms :
- screwing of eyes to watch TV
- difficulty in reading the blackboard
- poor posture while reading
- lack of interest in playing outdoor games
Hence it may be necessary to get an eye examination done every 2 yearly or more , if symptomatic .
Myopia or nearsightedness, is one of the most common problems teens have with their eyes. When a teen has myopia, he or she is unable to focus properly on things that are far away. People with myopia have eyes that are a little longer than normal, measuring from the front of the eyeball to the back. Glasses or contacts can easily correct this problem.
Hypermetropia or farsightedness, is another vision problem. People with hyperopia have trouble focusing on things close up because their eyes are too “short” from front to back. only symptoms eye strain,cannot see near objects clearly (eg reading) patients with recurrent styes, squint. Treatment with convex lens, contact lens, LASIK
Astigmatism. Here, the cornea isn’t perfectly round. To be able to see well — either close up or far away — the person needs contact lenses or glasses.
Computer VisionSyndrome – results from focusing on the computer screen for prolonged periods of time.
Symptoms – headache, blurred vision, neck pain, eye strain-dry eyes, application of tears to decrease dryness and relieve strain. Blink frequently and look out of window
Once people reach 18 and their eyes are fully grown and less likely to change, some people choose to have refractive surgery to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism so they don’t have to wear contacts or glasses anymore. Refractive surgery is a procedure — usually done with a laser — that reshapes the eye to change the way light enters it and forms an image, allowing a person to see better.
Dealing With Common Eye Problems and Injuries
- If you have a red eye, pain in an eye that doesn’t go away within a short period of time, or at any time have had changes in your vision, then it’s time to have your eyes checked.
- If you get any small foreign objects in your eye, such as sand or sawdust or metal shavings, don’t rub it. Flush your eye for several minutes with lukewarm water (it may be easiest to do this in the shower). If it still feels as though there is something in your eye, then be sure to see an eye specialist.
- If you’ve been hit in the eye and it l appears to be bleeding, or if you have changes in or lose your vision, go to a hospital emergency department right away to be checked out.
One of the most common eye injuries for teens is a scratched cornea, which is often related to wearing contact lenses or playing sports. With a scratched cornea, it may feel like something is in your eye when there’s really nothing there. Your eye may get red and irritated, produce lots of tears, and be overly sensitive to light.
Caring for Your Eyes is very important
Wearing sunglasses is high on the list of ways to care for your vision. UV light causes long-term damage to the inner structures of the eye, so wear a pair of sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection whenever you’re in the sun. This can help prevent conditions linked to UV exposure, such as cataracts and macular degeneration:
- A cataract is an eye condition in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded, impairing vision.
- Macular degeneration is an eye disease in which the macula (a structure within the eye that allows you to see) gradually deteriorates, leading to decreased vision or blindness. You also can care for your eyes by putting on protective eyewear whenever you play tennis or racquetball or when you’re doing projects in shop class or the science lab. It only takes a second for something to hit an unprotected eye and cause serious damage. Avoid fireworks that could explode and harm your eyes
- You should take special care of your eyes if you have a medical condition such as diabetes or Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis because they put you at an increased risk of developing serious eye disease.
- Preventing Eye Infections
Conjunctivitis also called pinkeye, is an eye infection that can be caused by a virus, bacteria, an allergic reaction, a chemical, or an irritant (something that gets in the eye).
Conjunctivitis caused by viruses and bacteria can easily pass from person to person. After you shake hands with someone who has a bad cold and pinkeye, for instance, you could spread the infection to your own eye by touching it with your hand.
To avoid spreading the germs that can cause eye infections:
- Don’t share eye makeup or drops with anyone else.
- Don’t touch the tip of a bottle of eye drops with your hands or your eyes because that can contaminate it with germs.
- Never put contact lenses in your mouth to wet them. Many bacteria and viruses — maybe even the virus that causes cold sores — are present in your mouth and could easily spread to your eyes.
- Wash your hands regularly!