What is Refractive Error?

In a normal eye the light rays form an image on the retina without any effort after entering eye through the cornea where they are refracted and pass through the pupil and the lens before reaching the retina. The retina then sends this image to the brain via the optic nerve and the brain interprets this image. This eye is Emmetropic

Refractive errors are eye disorder when a blurred image is perceived because light is not properly refracted to a point focus on the retina.

Types of Refractive Errors:

• Myopia – A condition where a person is near sighted but cannot see the distant objects clearly
• Hyperopia – A condition where a person is far sighted but cannot see the near objects clearly
• Astigmatism – A condition where vision is distorted for far as well as near because shape of cornea is not round but oval.

Diagnosis:

The common method of measuring vision loss is the vision chart. Refraction and retinoscopy can help detect the actual error and the spectacle power.

Treatment:

• Wearing full correction of spectacles
• Refractive surgery
• Contact lenses
• If the vision loss is because of over straining due to excessive near vision use then it can be reversed with a certain treatment protocol over a period of time without surgical intervention

When to call your doctor:

• Regular eye check-up once every 6 months is must for each individual
• In case of high myopia a regular fundus examination to rule out retinal break or detachment is advisable