People wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses likely have a refractive error. It is a vision problem where the eye fails to focus the light properly on the retina due to shape irregularities. At least 150 million Americans have this condition, but many still don’t know there are ways to sharpen their vision.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of refractive errors and ways to correct them.
Nearsightedness
Myopia develops when the eyeball becomes too long from front to back. It can also occur due to issues with the shape of the cornea or lens. Because of these irregularities, the light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. Nearsighted individuals find it hard to see objects at a distance. Regularly seeing your optometrist can help in the early detection of myopia, especially in kids. There are now even ways to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children, called myopia management.
Farsightedness
Also known as hyperopia, farsightedness makes near objects appear blurry. It develops when the eyeball is too short from the front to the back. As a result, light focuses behind the retina and not on it. Usually, farsighted individuals are born with this vision problem.
Astigmatism
Both nearby and distant objects can appear blurry if you have astigmatism. It tends to impact focusing on fine detailed tasks or impact your night vision. An irregularly shaped cornea or lens causes this refractive error. It usually comes with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Presbyopia
People at least 40 years old are very likely to have presbyopia. It occurs when your eyes harden and become less flexible with age.
The most common way to correct refractive errors is through eyeglasses. After an eye exam, your doctor will provide a prescription to give you the sharpest vision possible.
Contact lenses might be an option if you don’t prefer to wear glasses. Some procedures could also alter the cornea’s shape, like laser eye surgery or orthokeratology (CRT lenses). A thorough assessment is necessary to determine what is the best route for you.
The only way to know if you have a refractive error is to visit an eye doctor. At Six One Six Vision Center, we are committed to providing eye care services that meet your needs. Call us at (208) 514-1858, or schedule an appointment using our scheduling link.
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