Common Refractive Errors: Diagnosis and Treatment

A huge percentage of the global population is affected by vision problems known as refractive errors. In fact, in some areas of the world, refractive errors have become so prevalent that they are considered an epidemic.

What are refractive errors? Why do we need to be concerned about them? In this article, we discuss common refractive errors, explain how they are treated and provide guidance on what you should do if you think you may have a vision problem.

What Are Refractive Errors? 

To gain a better understanding of refractive errors, you first need to understand how your vision works. Your ability to see the world around you is due to a complex process in which rays of light enter the eyes, are focused onto the retina and then processed by the brain to produce an image. The absence of light results in the absence of vision. For instance, if you close your eyes or try to see in a completely dark environment, you’ll see nothing at all because of the absence of light.

If no amount of light can enter the eyes or can get processed by the brain even when the eyes are open and the individual is in a light-filled setting, then this is considered to be blindness.

For perfect vision, the right amount of light needs to enter the eyes and be focused properly by the retina. If light is able to enter, but cannot be focused properly, then a refractive error results.

There are three common types of refractive errors:

• Myopia, also known as nearsightedness: Patients with this condition can see objects that are nearby without a problem, but objects at a distance become blurred. Myopia is often a result of an irregular eye length or an irregular curvature of the eye’s lens.
• Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness: This refractive error is the exact opposite of myopia. Patients diagnosed with hyperopia are able to see objects at a distance clearly, while objects closer to them become blurred. Hyperopia occurs when the length of the eye too short, resulting in incorrect focusing of light rays.
• Astigmatism: This condition can cause both nearby and distant objects to appear blurry, and is often the result of an irregularly curved cornea.

Why You Need to Be Concerned

Many people affected by a refractive error make the mistake of ignoring the condition. Unless the vision problem is causing a significant disruption to their daily life, they tend to consider it a mild annoyance that they can live with.

Unfortunately, failing to treat a refractive error is a problem. In fact, studies suggest that over 90% of untreated refractive progress into vision impairment, some even leading to blindness.

People with refractive errors do not need to end up with a disability. With a proper diagnosis and prompt treatment, this vision problem can be stabilized and managed.

What You Should Do

If you’ve been experiencing one or more of the common symptoms of refractive errors, such as dizziness, blurred vision or frequent headaches, then the first step is to be concerned about your condition. Even if the symptoms do not directly affect your ability to function normally, you should consider the possibility that you may have a vision problem and seek professional advice as early as you can.

Type of Professional You Should See

The first person you should ask advice from is an ophthalmologist, which is a type of eye doctor. Ophthalmologists will be able to correctly diagnose your condition and present treatment options.

If an ophthalmologist is not available, an optometrist can also help. Optometrists will be able to identify vision problems and suggest treatment options.

What’s the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist, an Optometrist and an Optician?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has been trained to perform medical and surgical eye care. An ophthalmologist can perform an eye examination, determine the exact cause of the problem and recommend the right type of treatment (whether medical or surgical).

Optometrists are mainly focused on vision problems, such as refractive errors. An optometrist can also perform an eye exam specially designed to identify vision problems, then recommend treatment or corrective action, such as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Once you’ve received a prescription from your ophthalmologist or optometrist, you’ll then need to approach an optician so your prescription can be filled with the correct lens power for your new eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you’re searching for an optician in Minneapolis, make sure to check out our list of highly qualified eye doctors and opticians.

How Do Eye Doctors Check for Refractive Errors

When you go to an eye doctor such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, you’ll first undergo an interview where you’ll be asked to describe your symptoms. It’s important to inform the eye doctor of all the symptoms you’re experiencing. Doing so will help the doctor determine the next step in diagnosing your condition, which will usually be an examination of the eyes.

The exam typically begins with a visual acuity test to determine how well you can see at a distance. The test will involve a Snellen Chart, which is a chart containing lines of letters in different sizes. You’ll be asked to stand at a specific distance from the chart and read as many letters as you can until they become too small for you to see. How you do on this test will determine whether or not you have a refractive error.

After the visual acuity test, the eye doctor will then need to determine the exact level of your refractive error, which is necessary to provide you with the right prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

In some cases, LASIK, a type of surgery involving lasers, might be a good option for you. This procedure involves the use of a special laser to reshape the inner cornea, thus correcting your vision in a matter of minutes. LASIK is a very safe procedure and the recovery is typically quick.

Why Should You Undergo an Eye Exam?

Undergoing eye examinations on a regular basis (whether you experience refractive error symptoms or not) can help in preventing or slowing down the progression of your refractive error. Eye doctors recommend an eye examination every couple of years or as soon as you experience symptoms of a refractive error.

How to Choose an Eye Doctor

The first step in choosing an eye doctor is to obtain recommendations from friends or family. If they are satisfied with the services of a particular eye doctor, then there’s a good chance that you will be satisfied as well.

If you suspect you have a refractive error, you can seek advice from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. However, if you have a specific medical condition with your eyes, it’s best to see an ophthalmologist.

A Reminder: Take Special Care of Your Eyes

Even if you have perfect vision, it’s important not to be complacent or take your vision for granted. So many things in our environment today can affect vision. These include the television, computer monitors, tablets, smart phones or even simple books. Chemicals in hygienic products, shampoo, soaps and makeup can affect the eyes and cause problems.

Avoid straining your eyes for long periods of time and make sure that you take rest periods if you do need to strain them. Your vision is one of the most important senses you have, so never take it for granted.