The human eye is a living, fluid sphere and it’s hard for it to be exactly the same shape as it was 12 months ago. The eye’s length and shape determine if an image will be in focus. Our brains are sensitive to vision and can detect these small changes, which is why at eye exams we say, “pick one or two.” This is called refraction, and it’s how we fine-tune prescriptions.
As children grow, their eyes grow and change. They often don’t have a way of knowing if things are blurrier than “normal” since they only have their own experience for comparison. They don’t know how clear things should be, and they may not have the language to communicate the topic. This is why regular eye exams are important, and where pediatric optometrists have the tools and knowledge to help.
Adults even have small changes in eye shape over time. Fun fact: even adjusting the front surface by the thickness of a human hair could change the prescription significantly —around four diopters (-4.00 DS). The good news is that vision tends to stabilize in our early 20s and throughout the 30s, which makes it an ideal time to explore laser vision correction for eligible patients.
Brought to you by:
David A. Hackett, OD, FCOVD
Lifetime Eye Care a division of Sterling Vision
4765 Village Plaza Loop Eugene, Oregon
(541) 342-3100 or 866-4EYELUV sterlingvision.com
