Ever wondered why far objects look blurred to you or why you strain to read small prints? You may be experiencing what eye doctors call refractive errors. In this blog post, we discuss the typical causes of refractive errors and how to manage them.
Refractive errors arise when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, leading to blurred vision. It’s like a camera not quite in focus. These errors can take the form of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. You may experience them individually or have multiple errors concurrently.
Myopia or nearsightedness means you struggle to see things far away. This typically occurs if your eyeball is too long or the cornea is excessively curved, causing light to focus before it reaches your retina.
Hyperopia or farsightedness makes it hard to see things up close. This can happen if your eyeball is too short or the cornea isn’t curved enough. As a result, the light focus is redirected beyond the retina.
Astigmatism relates to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. This causes the light to focus on multiple points across the retina, leading to distorted vision. Presbyopia occurs when the eye lens loses its flexibility, making it hard to focus on close objects.
Genetics often plays a big part in refractive errors. If your parents or siblings have myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, you’re more likely to develop these conditions too. But it’s not all about DNA. Your environment also contributes to the development of these conditions.
Chronic screen time and a lack of natural light exposure can exacerbate these issues. Trauma to the eye can also lead to refractive errors. Certain medical conditions or medications might also impact your vision.
While you cannot entirely prevent refractive errors, maintaining good eye health can help manage them. Regular eye check-ups are paramount to catching refractive errors early. Treatment options can range from prescription glasses or contact lenses to more permanent solutions like corrective surgery, depending on the severity and type of error.
Understanding refractive errors is crucial in maintaining good visual health. If you’re looking for a skilled optometrist in Bothell, Lynwood, or Shoreline, WA, Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic is just a call away. You can reach us at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell), or you can book an appointment through our contact page.