Refractive Errors
Refractive errors refer to a disorder in which the eye is irregularly shaped, causing light to focus on the wrong area of the retina. Refractive errors result in varying degrees of blurry vision, but can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.
Causes of Refractive Errors
Many experts believe that refractive errors are caused by genetic and environmental factors. Ocular injury can also lead to the development of refractive errors.
Diagnosing Refractive Errors
If you have trouble with near or distance vision, it is important to schedule an appointment with an experienced ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist can perform the necessary eye tests to accurately diagnose your vision condition.
Types of Refractive Errors
The most common types of refractive errors are myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Learn more about these refractive errors, as well as presbyopia, an age-related condition.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs due to an irregularly shaped cornea. This causes light rays to focus in front of the retina, rather than directly on the retina. Nearsighted patients experience clear vision up close, but distant objects will be fuzzy. Learn more about myopia, as well as the treatments available for nearsighted individuals.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs due to an irregularly shaped cornea that causes light to focus behind the retina, rather than directly on the retina. Farsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects up close, but see distant objects clearly. Learn more about hyperopia and the treatment options available for farsighted patients.
Astigmatism
The most common of all eye disorders, astigmatism occurs when the eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball. This odd shape causes the light to focus on two points of the retina, rather than one.
Astigmatism is often accompanied by either nearsightedness or farsightedness. If this is the case, both refractive errors can be treated simultaneously. Learn more about astigmatism and the types of astigmatism treatments currently in use.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an eye condition that comes with age, hindering the up-close focusing ability of the eye. It generally starts affecting patients between the ages of forty and fifty. Presbyopia is currently being treated in a number of ways. Learn more about presbyopia and the latest presbyopia treatment options.
Treatments for Refractive Errors
The three most common refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. These imperfections can be surgically corrected with LASIK, custom LASIK, PRK, and other vision correction procedures. Presbyopia, a refractive disorder that comes with age, can be treated with LASIK monovision, the placement of implantable lenses, and conductive keratoplasty.
Locate an Ophthalmologist in Your Area
Millions of individuals have refractive errors that can now be treated with LASIK, implantable contact lenses, and other advances in refractive surgery. If your eyesight is impaired due to myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, or presbyopia, talk to a refractive specialist in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for vision correction treatment.
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