Uncorrected Refractive Error

Usually an inherited eye condition, myopia causes far away images to be seen blurred, while images are clear up close. This happens because the distance between the cornea and the retina is too long. So, instead of the light focusing on the retina, it focuses in front of the retina.

Myopia is usually identified during childhood and exacerbated during puberty, when the body goes through a lot of change.

Hyperopia - sometimes called hypermetropia - occurs when the distance between the cornea and the retina is too short. This causes the light rays to focus behind the retina, rather than on it.

We experience hyperopia on a scale; mild levels make images appear blurred close up, and clear when they're far away. For individuals with high levels of hyperopia, images can be blurry at all distances.

In childhood, hyperopia can be difficult as children may not always notice their vision problems until they are older.

Presbyopia is one of life’s inevitable burdens brought on by the ageing process.

As we age, our lenses become rigid, allowing less close-range focusing flexibility. Signs of presbyopia start to emerge from around 35-45 years of age. Presbyopia is a normal result of the ageing process, unfortunately, but can be corrected by using reading glasses.

When the cornea has asymmetric stigmatism (uneven curvature), we call that astigmatism.

Rather than the equal curves of a sphere, the front surface of the eye ends up more like a football. This causes the light coming through the cornea to focus unequally on the retina, resulting in a distorted or ‘stretched out’ image. In most cases, a person with astigmatism will have blurred vision both near and far.

Eyeglasses (spectacles) are the most common and simple solution. An eye care professional can measure you for a pair of eyeglasses for effective correction.

Contact lenses are a less common, but still popular treatment for correcting refractive error. They work by placing an artificial lens on the film of tears covering the eye’s surface.

A contact lens is thin, curved and in most cases these days, soft and bendy. Like eyeglasses, you'll need to have your contact lenses fitted by a professional. Your optometrist will be able to give you lessons on safe, clean insertion of contact lenses. 

But remember, always seek out professional advice if you think you need contact lenses, as you won't be able to wear them with some eye conditions.

Corrective surgery is also necessary for some patients. Corrective surgery options include refractive (laser) surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery.

Refractive surgery, of which there are many types, can be used to correct the vision of those with refractive error. Laser surgery is one type of refractive surgery.

Experts use specialised tools to measure the surface contour of your eye and then permanently reshape the cornea (front surface of the eye). They do this by vaporising the surface tissue into a new shape, restoring the eye’s ability to focus light rays directly on the retina.

Intraocular lens (IOL) replacement surgery is another kind of refractive surgery available. Surgeons remove the natural lens from the eye and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). IOLs are also used in cataract removal surgeries.