The need for prescription eyeglasses could come from many different eye conditions. The most common eye disorders are Farsightedness, Nearsightedness and Presbyopia.

Nearsightedness, otherwise known as Myopia, is the most common eye disorder. It occurs when light focuses in front of the retina rather than focusing on the retina. The symptoms for Myopia are blurred vision on objects that are in the distance. Squinting the eye will actually make the object clearer. Vision can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses with either a bifocal or trifocal lens.

Farsightedness, or Hyperopia, is just the opposite of Myopia. The light focuses behind the retina instead of in front of the retina. One common symptom of Hyperopia is headaches or the eyes will become tired from reading. It is difficult to see objects that are within close range. In children, the most common symptom is crossed eyes. Again this eye disorder, too, can be corrected by wearing prescription eyeglasses.

Presbyopia is another type of eye condition that can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses. This disorder is where the eye's lens cannot focus. This usually happens to everyone in his or her late forties. The symptoms for Presbyopia are that a person finds himself or herself holding reading material farther away to enable reading. Also, eye fatigue is a common symptom.

The importance of getting regular eye exams to check for these eye conditions can't be overstated. Left untreated, all of these conditions will only worsen.

In a routine eye exam the optometrist will also do a glaucoma test. Glaucoma is the build up of fluid on the eye that results in pressure on the retina. It is irreversible if left untreated, and can cause total loss of sight. This is one eye disorder that cannot be treated by wearing prescription eyeglasses. However, this condition rarely has symptoms, therefore stressing the importance of routine eye exams.