The following condtions are taken directly from the Alberta Association of Optometrists:
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Myopia is a common condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurred. It can occur at any age, and can be corrected with glasses. New studies are showing that myopia progression is on a drastic rise globally. Tamas EyeCare utilizes orthokeratology, MiSight 1-day contact lenses, and Zeiss MyoVision Pro glasses lenses to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Please see our Myopia Control section for more details.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
Hyperopia exists when distant objects are easier to see than near objects. The extra effort required to see clearly at close range can cause blur, fatigue, muscle tension, discomfort and headaches. This can be corrected with glasses.
Astigmatism
Astigmatismexists when either the cornea and/or the lens inside the eye is slightly irregular or cylindrical in shape, resulting in vision being blurred or distorted at all distances. This can be corrected with glasses.
Strabismus or Crossed Eyes
A crossed eye, which can turn in or out, is a muscle condition in which a child’s eyes are not properly aligned with each other.
Coordination of a child’s eyes, and their ability to work together, starts to develop in infancy. Failure of the eye muscles to work together properly can lead to strabismus (crossed eyes), which generally appears between the ages of birth and three years.
A child will not outgrow strabismus without treatment; in fact, the condition may become worse. Children may initially experience double vision because both eyes are not focusing on the same object. In an attempt to avoid double vision, the brain eventually disregards the image from one eye. In time, the ignored eye will become unable to function normally and will become largely unused, which could result in development of amblyopia (lazy eye).
Treatment for strabismus can include glasses, prisms, vision therapy, and in some cases, surgery. It can be corrected with excellent results if detected and treated early.
Amblyopia or Lazy Eye
Amblyopia is weak vision or low vision in one eye as a result of an uncorrected prescription during the early years of development, or due to strabismus.
It is largely symptom free to a young child, and is the leading cause of preventable vision loss. If detected and treated early, before the age of six, it will often resolve completely. It is vital to treat amblyopia early with vision therapy, glasses, contact lenses and/or patching, as treatment becomes very difficult later on.
If left untreated, amblyopia may lead to a permanent decrease of vision in the affected eye.