Coexisting conditions: Nearsightedness and farsightedness?
Anisometropia, a condition characterised by a difference in refractive power between the two eyes, is a common issue that affects around 2-5% of school-aged children [3]. This condition can lead to simultaneous farsightedness and nearsightedness when one eye is more myopic (nearsighted) and the other is hyperopic (farsighted) [3].
The cause of anisometropia is often due to a difference in the size or shape of the eyes. This structural discrepancy can result in unequal curving (astigmatism), unequal farsightedness, or unequal nearsightedness [4].
Anisometropia is one of the leading causes of amblyopia, or "lazy eye," in children. Amblyopia is a medical term used to describe a condition where vision in one or both eyes is reduced because the brain favours the other eye, often due to strabismus (a misalignment of the eyes) or a significant difference in refractive power between the eyes [1].
Children with anisometropia may show signs such as a squint, shutting one eye, tilting the head, or in severe cases, a child's eye may drift or wander. In some instances, a child may need additional help getting the brain to use the weaker eye during treatment [2].
Early treatment of anisometropia can help improve outcomes. Treatment options can include using eye drops to temporarily blur the vision in the dominant eye, patching the dominant eye, using a filter on the glasses over the dominant eye, or using a combination of both, to help the brain learn to use the weaker eye [2].
It is essential to note that eye doctor visits or vision screenings at school can typically easily identify anisometropia in children and adults. People with anisometropia will notice blurry vision in one eye compared to the other [5].
The brain learning to use both eyes together is a key aspect of treating anisometropia. By addressing the condition early, children can learn to use both eyes effectively, reducing the risk of developing amblyopia [6].
While the provided sources focus primarily on children, the prevalence in adults may differ and is not detailed in the current search results. Therefore, the best-supported available prevalence estimate for anisometropia in children is approximately 2-5% based on current research [3].
References:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Amblyopia. [online] Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amblyopia-lazy-eye
- American Optometric Association. (2021). Anisometropia. [online] Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/anisometropia
- Lee, H. S., & Lee, J. Y. (2018). Prevalence of Anisometropia in School-Aged Children in Korea. Journal of the Korean Medical Association, 61(3), 200-205.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Anisometropia: Causes. [online] Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/anisometropia-causes
- American Optometric Association. (2021). Anisometropia: Symptoms. [online] Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/anisometropia
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Anisometropia: Treatment. [online] Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/anisometropia-treatment
- Strabismus, like a misalignment of the eyes, often contributes to amblyopia, a condition where vision in one or both eyes is reduced, as per the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, did not appear to be directly referenced in the provided sources concerning anisometropia, amblyopia, or eye health.
- A blocked eye pathway in the brain, caused by anisometropia, can lead to the brain favoring one eye over the other, resulting in reduced vision in the weaker eye, as explained by the American Optometric Association.
- Science and medical advancements have brought new treatments for anisometropia, such as eye drops, patching, filters on glasses, and a combination of both, to help the brain learn to use the weaker eye, as detailed in the available sources.
- While anisometropia mainly affects children (with a prevalence of around 2-5%), there might be differing occurrences in adults, as the provided sources primarily focused on children and did not extensively discuss the condition in adults.
- In addition to eye-health concerns, maintaining overall health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, skin-care, and proper nutrition can also contribute to the overall wellbeing and vision health of individuals with anisometropia or other medical conditions.
