Refractive Errors that Impact Vision Impairment

Refractive errors are a common cause of vision impairment, affecting people of all ages. These errors occur when the shape of the eye does not bend light properly, resulting in blurry vision. The three most common types of refractive errors are:

1. Myopia (nearsightedness): This occurs when the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. People with myopia can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.
2. Hyperopia (farsightedness): This occurs when the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. People with hyperopia can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects appear blurry.
3. Astigmatism: This occurs when the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, causing light to focus on multiple points on the retina instead of on a single point. People with astigmatism may experience blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

Refractive errors can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. It is important to have regular eye exams to detect and correct refractive errors and other eye conditions that can cause vision impairment.