Understanding Refractive Errors: A Guide from Your Optometrist

Dear Patients,

Let’s talk about refractive error! Refractive error is a common eye condition that occurs when the eye’s shape prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, resulting in symptoms such as:

Blurred vision
Headaches
Eyestrain
Squinting
Trouble focusing
In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of refractive errors—myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia—so you can better understand your vision and how we can work together to maintain it.

Myopia (Nearsightedness): Myopia is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry, while close objects can be seen more clearly. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing images to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.  This results in a blurry image in the distance.  Myopia often develops during childhood and can worsen as you grow, although it typically stabilizes in adulthood.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia. In hyperopia, close objects may appear blurry, while distant objects are clearer. It happens when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing images to focus behind the retina rather than directly on it. This results in difficulty focusing on nearby objects. At low levels, close objects may still appear clear but focusing on them can cause eye strain and headaches. At higher levels, hyperopia can even cause objects in the distance to become blurry.  Hyperopia can affect individuals of all ages, but it often becomes more noticeable with age as the eye’s natural lens loses some of its focusing ability.

Astigmatism: Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is oval-shaped, causing light rays to focus unevenly on the retina. This results in distorted vision at all distances and can lead to excessive squinting.  Astigmatism may accompany myopia or hyperopia, and it can also exist on its own. It’s essential to address astigmatism as it can cause eye strain, headaches, and difficulty with night vision if left uncorrected.

Presbyopia: Presbyopia is a natural age-related condition that typically starts to become noticeable in our early 40’s. It occurs when the lens of the eye loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. Individuals with presbyopia may find themselves holding reading materials at arm’s length to see them clearly. It’s important to note that presbyopia is different from hyperopia, although they both can involve difficulty focusing on close objects. Presbyopia is a natural part of aging and affects nearly everyone to some degree.

Understanding the type of refractive error you have is the first step in addressing your vision needs. With advancements in optometric technology, there are various options available to correct refractive errors, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery such as LASIK. During your eye examination, we will thoroughly assess your vision and discuss the most suitable options for you based on your lifestyle, preferences, and exam results. If you think you may have an uncorrected refractive error or a change in your prescription, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us!

 

Thanks for reading,

Your Optometrists at 20/20 Vision Center