ASSSIGNMENT NO 1

General Science and Ability (Biological Sciences)

Aliba Ansar
Batch 198
 1. Short sightedness
Scientific Name:
Scientific name Short sightedness is Myopia.

Definition:
It is a type of refractive error. Refractive error are changes to your vision that occur due to
problems with how your eye bends light. In this condition, the person is not able to see the
distant objects clearly while there is no problem in viewing near objects. In the healthy vision,
the image is formed on the retina, while in myopia, the image is formed in front of the retina.
This results in blurred vision for the objects which are far away. Short-sightedness is one of the
most common refractive errors throughout the world.

Causes:
 Genetics: Short-sightedness often runs in families, suggesting a genetic component.
 Lifestyle Factors: Spending long periods of time doing close-up work or being indoors may
contribute to the development of myopia.
 Excessive Eye Strain: Activities that strain the eyes, such as working at a computer screen
or watching a bright television screen, may increase the risk.
 Certain Illnesses: Temporary short-sightedness can occur with certain illnesses, such as
diabetes.
 Eyeball Length: Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or, less commonly, because the
cornea is too curved. This causes light coming from distant objects to be ‘over focused’, so
that the point of focus is in front of the retina.

Symptoms:
 Faraway objects look blurred or fuzzy.
 Close items appear clear.
 Headaches.
 Eye strain.
 Squinting.
 Tiredness when driving, playing sports or looking more than a few feet away.
Treatment:
1. Prescription Lenses: Depending on the degree of short-sightedness, you may need
prescription lenses to improve your vision. With myopia, your prescription for glasses or
contact lenses is a negative number, such as -3.00. The higher the number, the stronger
your lenses will be. The prescription helps your eye focus light on your retina, clearing up
your distance vision. Types of prescription lenses include:
  Eyeglasses: This is a simple, safe way to sharpen vision caused by short-
sightedness. Depending on the degree of vision correction needed, you’ll wear
eyeglasses either daily or only when you need distance vision. You may only need
glasses for driving. Some kids with myopia may only need glasses to play ball,
watch a movie or view the chalkboard. Some people may need to wear glasses
constantly to see clearly.
 Contact Lenses: These lenses are worn right on your eyes. They are available in a
variety of materials and designs.
2. Refractive Surgery: Most refractive surgical procedures are used to treat short-
sightedness. These surgical treatments correct short-sightedness by reshaping the curvature
of your cornea. Refractive surgery methods include:
 Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK): This procedure involves making
a thin, hinged flap into your cornea and then using a laser to adjust the curves of
the cornea.
 Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK): The surgeon creates an
ultra-thin flap only in the cornea’s outer protective cover (epithelium). He or she
then uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers, changing its curve, and then
replaces the epithelium.
 Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): This procedure is similar to LASEK,
except the surgeon completely removes the epithelium, then uses the laser to
reshape the cornea.
 Phakic intraocular lenses: These are an option for people who have high myopia
or whose corneas are too thin for PRK or LASIK. Your provider places phakic
intraocular lenses inside of your eye just in front of your natural lens.

2. Far sightedness

Scientific Name:
Scientific name far sightedness is Hyperopia.

Definition:
It is a type of refractive error. Long-sightedness is characterized by the inability of a person to
see the near objects. In the healthy vision, the image is formed on the retina, while in
Hypermetropia, the image is formed in beyond of the retina. It is to be noted that our eyes are
accommodated and focused to see the far objects. While we are young, the focus on far objects is
compensated by the muscles of our eyes. However, as we age, this compensation gets reduces
and we face problems in focusing on near objects. Thus, by mid-40s, people require reading
glasses. Globally, hyperopia may affect about 4.6% of children and 30.9% of adults, according to
one analysis. People with a high degree of hyperopia may have blurry vision at all distances. The
shape of your eye determines whether you have some degree of hyperopia.

Causes:
 Genetics: Far-sightedness often runs in families, suggesting a genetic component.
 Eyeball is too short: In a normal eye, light rays fall on the retina, the layer of cells lining the
back of the eye. However, in hyperopia, the light rays fall beyond the retina resulting in
blurred vision. This can happen if the eyeball is shorter than normal.
 Abnormal shape of cornea or lens: The shape of your cornea and lens affects how your eye receives
and processes light to allow you to see. An abnormal shape of the cornea or lens can cause the light to
focus behind the retina instead of directly on it.

 Lens sits farther back in the eye than normal: If the lens sits farther back in the eye than
normal, it can also cause the light to focus behind the retina.

Symptoms:
 Blurry Vision: Nearby objects may appear blurry.
 Headaches: Persistent headaches may occur.
 Eyestrain: People may feel heaviness in the eye.
 Squinting: People may need to squint to see clearly.
 Difficulty in Activities: People may have difficulty in activities such as reading or stitching.

Treatment:
1. Prescription Lenses: Depending on the degree of farsightedness, you may need
prescription lenses to improve your near vision. This is especially likely as you age and the
lenses inside your eyes become less flexible. Types of prescription lenses include:
 Eyeglasses: The lenses in Eyeglasses provide a simple way to correct
farsightedness. They do so by changing the way light focuses on your retina. Your
degree of hyperopia determines what type of lenses you need and how often you
should wear them.
 Contact Lenses: These lenses are worn right on your eyes. They are available in a
variety of materials and designs. They work like eyeglasses. They correct the way
light bends when it enters your eye. But contacts are smaller than the lenses in your
glasses, and they sit directly on the surface of your eyeball. They’re generally safe,
comfortable and convenient. However, you may run into issues that prevent you
from wearing contacts. These include dry eye and eye infections.
2. Refractive Surgery: Most refractive surgical procedures are used to treat nearsightedness,
but they can also be used for mild to moderate farsightedness. These surgical treatments
correct farsightedness by reshaping the curvature of your cornea. Refractive surgery
methods include:
 Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK): This procedure involves making
a thin, hinged flap into your cornea and then using a laser to adjust the curves of
the cornea.
 Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK): The surgeon creates an
ultra-thin flap only in the cornea’s outer protective cover (epithelium). He or she
 then uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers, changing its curve, and then
replaces the epithelium.
 Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): This procedure is similar to LASEK,
except the surgeon completely removes the epithelium, then uses the laser to
reshape the cornea.
3. Night Blindness:
Scientific Name:
Scientific name Night Blindness is Nyctalopia.

Definition:
Night blindness, also known as Nyctalopia, is a condition that makes it difficult for an individual
to see in low-light conditions or at night. It’s not a disease on its own, but rather a symptom of
other conditions. Nyctalopia can also happen with conditions that affect how light travels
through your eyes. The tissues that make up the forward parts of your eyes need to be clear so
light can pass through them. When they aren’t clear or don’t allow light to pass through them
correctly, it limits how much light reaches your retinas and can cause difficulties seeing in dim
light.

Causes:
Night blindness can be caused by several conditions, including nearsightedness, cataracts, Rare
genetic retinal diseases like cone-rod dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa ((also called rod-cone
dystrophy), Laser vision correction surgery (like LASIK or similar procedures) and vitamin A
deficiency. These conditions can affect different parts of your eyes, such as the retina, the iris, or
the tissues that make up the forward parts of your eyes.

Symptoms:
The main symptom of night blindness is difficulty seeing in the dark. You may have more
difficulty seeing or driving in darkness. You’re more likely to experience night blindness when
your eyes transition from a bright environment to an area of low light.

Treatment:

The treatment for night blindness, or nyctalopia, depends on its underlying cause. Here are some
common treatment options:
1. Prescription Lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct vision impairments that
contribute to night blindness.
2. Vitamin A Supplementation: If night blindness is due to a deficiency of Vitamin A,
supplementation can help improve vision.
3. Surgery: In cases where night blindness is caused by conditions like cataracts, surgery may
be recommended to restore vision.
4. Lifestyle Adjustments: Wearing sunglasses can protect the eye from ultraviolet light,
which can cause further eye damage.
Genetic conditions that cause night blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa, aren’t treatable. The gene
that causes pigment to build up in the retina doesn’t respond to corrective lenses or surgery. People
who have this form of night blindness should avoid driving at night.

4. Color Blindness:
Scientific Name:
Scientific name color blindness is color vision deficiency.

Definition:
Color blindness (color vision deficiency) is a fairly common condition in which you don’t see
colors in the traditional way. This happens when cones (a type of nerve cell in your eye retina)
aren’t working correctly. Cones process light and images as they enter your eye and send signals
to your brain that allow you to perceive color.
Color blindness usually doesn’t mean you can’t see any colors. The vast majority of people with
color blindness see a range of colors, but they see some colors differently than others do. They
may also have trouble telling the difference between certain colors or shades. Some very rare
forms of color blindness make a person unable to see any colors.

Causes:
1. The most common types of color blindness are hereditary, passed from parent to child.
Many people are born with it, which makes it a congenital condition.
2. Color blindness is caused by a total or partial lack of cones in the retina. Cones are what
detect the colors red, green, and blue.
3. Diseases such as eye disease, metabolic disease, or vascular disease.
4. Damage to the eye or brain.
5. Age-related cataracts.
6. Certain medications.

Symptoms:

 Difficulty Differentiating Colors: You may have trouble seeing the difference between
certain colors or shades, or perceiving the brightness of colors.
 Seeing Colors Differently: The vast majority of people with color blindness see a range of
colors, but they see some colors differently than others do.

Treatment:
 Special glasses or contacts may help some people with red-green deficiency see the
difference between colors.
 Smartphone or tablet apps designed for people with poor color vision allow users to detect
colors of objects.
 Try memorizing the order of colored objects, such as traffic lights.
 Ask someone with good color vision to label and sort your clothing or other items that you
want to match.
 There are also apps and other technologies that can help you identify colors.
There’s currently no cure for inherited color blindness.