Visual defects and correction

Vision sometimes needs a little help

The human eye is an impressive system for turning light rays into images. The light reflected by objects in the field of
view first hits the cornea, which is protected by a clear tissue covering called the epithelium. The cornea is responsible for about
70% of the refraction or focusing of the light.

The light then passes through the pupil, i.e. the central opening in the iris, and reaches the lens. The lens does the final focus
adjustment so that the light is bundled, i.e. focused, when it reaches the retina. At the retina, the light is translated into electrical
impulses and sent to the optic nerve. The optic nerve takes these impulses to the brain, which translates them into images.

If all goes well, the cornea and lens bundle the light rays exactly on the retina. This is what we call “normal vision.” Everything is in
sharp focus at all distances.

Visual acuity
Visual ability is referred to as visual acuity in medical circles. “Normal” vision
corresponds to an acuity of 1.0 (commonly called 20/20 in the US or 6/6 in
metric countries). A person with this acuity can make out a 1.5 mm object at
five metres distance. A person who cannot see objects smaller than 3 mm at
this distance has an acuity of 0.5 (20/40 or 6/12). Many people have better
than normal vision; young people quite often have visual acuity between 1.0
and 2.0 (20/20 – 20/10 or 6/6 – 6/3). This declines with age and can become
substantially worse than 1.0.
 DEFECTS IN EYES
Near Point
The nearest point to the eye at which an object can be brought into clear focus by accommodation is called the near point of vision. It is the point
nearest the eye at which an object is accurately focused on the retina at full accommodation

The nearest point recedes throughout life. Slowly at first and then rapidly with the advancing age, from approximately 9 cm at age 10 to
approximately 83 cm at age 60. This recession is due principally to increase the hardness of the lens, with a resulting loss of accommodation. So,
the near point of the eye is the lowest distance of the object from the eye, which can be seen definitely without strain. For a
regular human eye, this distance is 25 cm.

Far point
The far point is the point at which an object must be placed along the optical axis of the eye for its image to be focused on the
retina when the eye is not accommodating. In the normal emmetropic eye, parallel rays are focused on the retina from infinity
without accommodation. Far point is 6M 20ft. Actually, the far point of the normal human eye is infinity.

The near point is the nearby something can be so that the individual can still see it plainly. The far point is the utmost away
something can be so that the person can still see it.
wh eyes ase most-waxed -

focal length-maximum. power

of eye-lens - minimum

~
her eye focused at
is
near focal length
of eye-
point -

lens is minimum
-
power is maximum .
 A young boy can adjust the power of his eye- lens between 50D and 60D. His far point is infinity (a) what is
⑨ distance of his retina from the eye lens ? (b) What is his near point ?
a When eyes are most relaxed, it’s focal length is largest and the power of eye -lens is minimum.
s This power is 50D according to data. The focal length is 1/50 m = 2cm. As the far point is at
infinity, the parallel rays coming from infinity are focused on the retina in the fully relaxed
condition. Hence, the distance of the retina from the lens equals the focal length which is 2cm.

⑯ When the eye is focused at the near point, the power is maximum which is 60D. The focal length in this
case is f= 1/60 m = 5/3 cm. The image is formed on the retina and thus v= 2cm .
I
V
-

~It
1 = =

I
-

E ↳
=

=6
10
U = - 10cm

I t 3 10cm
=
-

Near point
=
COMMON REFRACTIVE DEFECTS OF VISION
There are mainly three common refractive defects of vision.These are
(i) myopia or near-sightedness
(ii) Hypermetropia or far – sightedness
(iii) Presbyopia.

MYOPIA
Myopia is also known as near-sightedness.
A person with myopia can see nearby objects clearly but cannot see distant objects distinctly.
A person with this defect has the far point nearer than infinity (Far point is shifted towards eye). Such a person may see clearly
upto a distance of a few metres.
In a myopic eye, the image of a distant object is formed in front of the retina and not at the retina itself.

· tene
Defective leng
Mill corrected -

Eye
CAUSE OF DEFECT CORRECTION OF MYOPIA
This defect may arise due to This defect can be corrected by using a concave lens of suitable power.
(i) excessive curvature of the eye lens A concave lens of suitable power will bring the image back on to the retina
and thus the defect is corrected.
-

(ii) elongation of the eyeball.

leng

It i
F po
t n
.

I
N P
-
-

I -

CO
~
-----------------
20-

-p,
-

=-25(m-

8 A person uses specs of power = A person is not able to see beyond 2m.
-1.5D. Find the far point of the Find. The focal length and power of lens
person required to view distant object ?
P 15D
=

-(f 2m)p
F
Ig 2
=

G
= =
-
= -

- 0 5
=
= .

f =
-

(F P)-

far-point =

I
HYPERMETROPIA
Hypermetropia is also known as far - sightedness.
A person with hypermetropia can see distant objects clearly but cannot see nearby objects distinctly, because near point of
person is shifted away from eye.
In this defect image is formed behind the retina.

---------
u
= -

25cm v = (N p )
-
. .
-
,

(N -

p)
CAUSES OF DEFECT
This defect arises either because
(i)the focal length of the eye lens is too long
(ii) the eyeball has become too small.
- p5= I
CORRECTION OF HYPERMETROPIA
This defect can be corrected by using a convex lens of appropriate power.
Eye-glasses with converging lenses provide the additional focussing power
required for forming the image on the retina.
⑪ A person is not able to see within 50cm. If he wants to read a book which is 25cm from his eyes.
Find power of lens required to read the book.

Su =

25cm V -502m
y
5)
=

2
-

, =

I t , +
=
=

⑲ Power of lenses used by a person is 1.5D. Find the near point of person.

P F F Im 20m
=
=

, = .

& -1
-I I =
f
I
=
= v
=

- 40cm
200 25 - -

-
=

# -

The near point and far points of a person are at 40 cm and 250 cm respectively. Find the power of
E lens he/ she should use while reading at 25 cm. With this lens on the eye, what maximum distance is
clearly visible
259m image is formed
at room
I when object is placed at ,

Inos
=

I ,
-

notes I , it For
alith out lens perfor can see maximum of 250cm. Let the
any
.

maximum distance for clear vision is I .

0b1C7
I 250 fa"Fous" Foots" t
-
x

image - 250

#63(m
 Presbyopia
In this defect person is not able to see both near and far objects clearly because near point of person is
shifted away from eye and far point of the person shifted towards the eye.

CAUSE OF DEFECT
It arises due to the gradual weakening of the ciliary muscles and diminishing flexibility of the eye lens.

USE OF BIFOCAL LENSES

Sometimes, a person may suffer from both myopia and hypermetropia. Such people often require bifocal
lenses.

STRUCTURE OF BIFOCAL LENSES

A common type of bi-focal lenses consists of both concave and convex lenses. The upper portion consists of
a concave lens. It facilitates distant vision. The lower part is a convex lens. It facilitates near vision.
⑰ A person can see within the range of 75cm to 4m. Find power of lenses required to view near objects
and far objects clearly.

Samyopia Hypermet zopia

I
-

is Es
=

F p . . = 4m ,
#

F1 =- /F P )= .
-
-
um
P2
y 2 I
=
=
=

P1 =
-
0 .

25D