About Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are the most common vision problems in the population. When the eye cannot focus light precisely on the retina, blurred vision occurs at distance, near or both.
Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are the main members of this group. The good news is that these errors can be corrected with high success using glasses, contact lenses and laser treatments to achieve clear vision.
What Is a Refractive Error?
For clear vision, light must be refracted by the cornea and lens to focus exactly on the retina. When the eye’s length or the curvature of the cornea is not ideal, light falls in front of or behind the retina and the image blurs. This is what is called a refractive error.
Refractive errors are mostly corrected with glasses and lenses; in suitable candidates, methods such as LASIK, iLASIK and No Touch Laser can provide a permanent solution.
Myopia, Hyperopia & Astigmatism
The main types of refractive error are:
- Myopia (near-sightedness): The most common error, in which distant objects are blurred and near ones clear.
- Hyperopia (far-sightedness): Characterized by difficulty with near work and eye fatigue.
- Astigmatism: Blurred, ghosted vision at all distances due to an irregular corneal shape.
- Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty with near vision; often added to the other errors.
Symptoms
Refractive errors present with the following:
- Distance or near blur: Loss of sharpness at a distance that depends on the type of error.
- Headache: Pain from constant focusing effort, worse toward the end of the day.
- Eye fatigue: Tiring quickly and straining when reading or using screens.
- Night-vision problems: Glare, halos and reduced clarity at night.
- Squinting: A frequent need to squint to see more clearly.
Diagnosis
The correct prescription and treatment plan are set with a detailed eye examination:
- Visual acuity test: Distance and near vision levels are measured.
- Autorefractometer measurement: The type and degree of refractive error are determined by the device.
- Manual refraction: The prescription giving the sharpest vision is fine-tuned.
- Corneal topography: The corneal structure is mapped for laser candidacy.
- General eye examination: Any other problem affecting vision is assessed.
Treatment
Glasses & Lenses
Glasses and contact lenses offer a safe, fast solution at any age for clear vision.
Prescription
A detailed examination determines the most suitable prescription.
Contact Lens
A contact-lens option is considered in suitable candidates.
Follow-up
Prescription change is monitored with regular checks.
Fast, Safe Clarity
Laser Treatments
In suitable candidates, LASIK, iLASIK and No Touch Laser reduce dependence on glasses.
Assessment
Corneal thickness and prescription stability are examined.
Laser
The cornea is reshaped to correct the error.
Healing
Clear vision is gained within a short time and followed up.
Clear Vision Without Glasses
Is a life without glasses possible?
Your suitability for laser is determined together based on your cornea and prescription assessment.