Refractive Errors
The eye conditions that make us wear glasses or lenses are called “refractive errors”. They are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism;
The eye conditions that make us wear glasses or lenses are called “refractive errors”. They are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism; after the age of forty, presbyopia also appears as a refractive error.
Myopia
Myopia is being unable to see distant objects clearly. Its full name, “axial myopia”, reflects its cause: the front-to-back length of the eye is longer than normal. As a result, the image of an object is focused in front of the retina and is not sharp.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia is being unable to see near objects clearly. In high hyperopia, however, neither near nor distance vision is clear. In hyperopia the eye is shorter than normal and the image is focused behind the retina.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by the cornea (the clear layer over the coloured part of the eye) being oval rather than spherical in shape. As a result, the image of a point-like object is seen stretched into an ellipse.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the difficulty in seeing near objects clearly that appears after the age of 40.
Treatment of Refractive Errors
The following treatment options are used for refractive errors:
- Glasses
- Contact lenses
- Excimer laser
- Phakic intraocular lens surgery
- Refractive lens exchange
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This article is for general information only and does not replace a medical examination or personalised medical advice.