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If you’re having difficulty seeing or already wear prescription eyewear, chances are you have a refractive error. While the term is unfamiliar to most individuals, it’s actually a widely diagnosed condition that eye doctors use to collectively refer to common vision issues. Here’s what you should know about refractive errors, so you know when to visit an eye doctor.

A Beginner’s Guide to Refractive Errors

What is a refractive error?

A refractive error is the term used to describe an abnormal shape of the eye. This variation refracts or “bends” the light in an abnormal way. Eyes with refractive errors cannot focus the light into the retina properly. Therefore, people with a refractive error may experience hazy, double, or blurry vision, as well as headaches.

What causes them?

There is a common myth that suggests frequent reading or overuse of the eyes can cause or worsen refractive errors. In reality, however, the condition is often age-related or caused by genetics. In some cases, a refractive error may worsen with age. 

What are the common types of errors?

The four types of refractive errors include:

  • eye doctorsMyopia: Myopia—or nearsightedness—occurs when refracted light becomes focused in front of, instead of on, the retina due to the elongation or excessive curvature of the eye. It causes distant objects to become blurry, though close objects remain clear.
  • Hyperopia: Hyperopia—or farsightedness—occurs when distant objects are clear but nearby objects appear blurry. The condition happens when the eyeball is too short or there is an insufficient curvature in the cornea. This causes light to be refracted behind the retina.
  • Presbyopia: Presbyopia may occur when the lens loses its flexibility and makes objects at close range more difficult to see. This condition commonly occurs to individuals after the age of 40.
  • Astigmatism: When the cornea’s curvature is asymmetrical, it can cause wavy-like distortions in your vision known as astigmatism. For this reason, objects at all distances can become difficult to see.

How are refractive errors treated?

Eye doctors can treat refractive errors using a number of different methods. For example, contact lenses and eyeglasses can address a lot of these vision issues. While presbyopia cannot be slowed down or reversed, it can usually be addressed with reading glasses. Patients who prefer not to use corrective lenses can also speak with their eye doctors about LASIK corrective vision surgery.

 

If you’re experiencing vision issues, turn to the team at Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight. Serving the Greater Cincinnati, OH, and northern Kentucky areas, this office has eye doctors who specialize in all types of eye care and conditions. They offer a broad range of services that are suited to address eye issues, including LASIK surgery. Visit them online or call (859) 525-6215 to schedule an appointment.

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