Pretty much everyone everywhere is familiar with eyeglasses. And possibly, you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses yourself because they help you to see better close up, far away, or both. But how, exactly, do eyeglasses work? Have you ever wondered? And are there any eye conditions that can’t be improved through the science of corrective lenses? If you’re experiencing changes in your vision, and you wonder if a new set of corrective lenses can help, your eye doctor in North Syracuse, NY, has answers.

How Corrective Lenses Work

Eyeglasses and contact lenses work by correcting refractive errors. There’s a light-sensitive area in the back of the eye called the retina. When light enters your eye and falls in the exact right place on the retina, you see a clear image. However, if something — usually the shape of your eye — causes that light to fall in the wrong place on the retina, the image you see may appear blurry or distorted. Corrective lenses work by redirecting the source of light so that it falls exactly where it should, thereby eliminating errors in refraction. Your vision becomes clear, and all is well again.

There are several common types of refractive errors, including:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Presbyopia
• Astigmatism

All occur because of the way the shape of your eye focuses light on the retina. For these common eye conditions, corrective lenses are the go-to solution, and vision can almost always be improved or completely restored.

Do Corrective Lenses Always Improve Vision?

However, there are some eye conditions that can’t be improved through the science of refractive correction. Cataracts is a good example. When you have cataracts, a cloudy film forms across the lens of your eye, impeding the retina’s access to light. Neither eyeglasses nor contact lenses will improve vision loss if you have cataracts. However, other treatments, such as removing the damaged lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, can work wonders.

Where to Find Corrective Lenses in North Syracuse

For help with eyeglasses or contact lenses in North Syracuse, NY, call McPherson Optometry. At McPherson Optometry, we specialize in finding solutions for all eye conditions — both common and uncommon. Call today to schedule a convenient time to come in.