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What are refractive errors?
IN THIS VIDEO I PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION
Everything you need to know about refractive errors
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT REFRACTIVE ERRORS AND WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH
Refractive errors are common eye problems that affect about half of all European adults. Most people can correct refractive errors with glasses and contact lenses. However, some people are dissatisfied with their glasses and contact lenses due to their limitations and risks.
There are four main types of refractive errors. They are:
- Short-sightedness
- Long-sightedness
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia
Short-sightedness (myopia)
When you’re short-sighted, you can see close objects; however, objects in the distance are blurry. This eye condition is also known as short-sightedness.
Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
When you are long-sighted, you can see objects distant objects; however, close objects appear blurry. This eye condition is also known as long-sightedness.
Astigmatism
The cornea is the window at the front of the eye. Your lens sits inside your eye. If you have astigmatism, they might be less like a round surface, and more like a rugby ball.
Presbyopia
Everyone develops presbyopia as they age. As your lenses age, they do not flex as quickly as when you were young. That makes reading difficult and close objects blurry.
Short-sightedness
Short-sightedness (myopia) is typically diagnosed when you’re in your teenage years. The condition occurs because of a combination of genetic factors and excessive eye growth.
Experts believe that the rapidly rising rates of short-sightedness are related to extreme close up focusing (such as excessive reading and use of mobile screens) during the early teenage years. Lack of exposure to sunlight and outdoor conditions is also believed to cause this condition.
Long-sightedness
Long-sighted patients do not have the focusing power, or the eye is not strong enough to bring things into focus – this results in blurred vision.
The additional strain put on the eye to try and focus can cause eyestrain, squinting, and headaches.
This excessive strain can become even more problematic for long-sighted patients from age 40 onwards when the onset of presbyopia begins.
Long-sighted patients typically have shorter than average eyes. This can be due to a combination of genetic factors.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is where the cornea and/or lens of the eye, rather than being completely round-shaped, is actually slightly oval-shaped and elongated.
Just like many of us who have slightly asymmetrical faces and other bodily features, the cornea and lens can also have irregularities. In the case of eyes, these differences in symmetry and shape result in visual distortion.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an eye condition which causes people aged 45 and older to need reading glasses. The eye’s natural lens stiffens as we age, and this causes you to lose the ability to focus close up gradually.
A complete eye exam will determine your refractive error.
Essential components of an examination include:
- Refraction (spectacle test),
- Ocular examination
- A dilated fundus examination to check the health of the eye and retina
Refractive surgery
The most common method to correct refractive errors are eyeglasses or contact lenses. The prescribed lenses will help to precisely put the light rays (the images you see) on the retina.
Over the last few decades, a variety of surgical procedures collectively known as refractive surgery has become a popular method in correcting refractive errors to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
In most cases, these procedures ultimately alter the shape of the cornea (the clear window at the front of your eye). Reshaping the cornea enables light rays to focus on the retina and give good vision.
The most common effective surgical procedures are:
- LASIK
- LASEK
- PRK
- AK
- RK
- Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Implantable Contact Lens ICL, and Artisan Iris-Clip IOLs
- Accommodative IOLs
- Multifocal IOLs
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Each of these procedures offers a different technique for refocusing light more accurately on the retina. They all have advantages and disadvantages, and not every treatment is suitable for every person.
I will act as your guide to assist you in deciding which one is best for you.
Short-sightedness
At Eye Clinic London we can permanently correct short-sightedness with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).
Long-sightedness
At Eye Clinic London, we can permanently correct long-sightedness with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).
Astigmatism
At Eye Clinic London, we can permanently correct astigmatism with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).
Presbyopia
Permanent correction for presbyopia involves replacing your natural lens with an artificial lens that we implant inside your eye.
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To get the answers to all your questions, give us a call or click the button below to book a free video appointment with an optometrist or our Consultant Ophthalmologist, Samer Hamada.
