At a glance: Refractive Errors
Types: Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, presbyopia
Most Common Symptom: Blurred vision
Diagnosis: Eye exam
Treatment: Eyeglasses, contact lenses, surgery
What are refractive errors?
Refractive errors are a type of vision problem that makes it hard to see clearly. They happen when the shape of your eye keeps light from focusing correctly on your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye).
What are the types of refractive errors?
There are 4 common types of refractive errors:
Nearsightedness (myopia) makes far-away objects look blurry
Farsightedness (hyperopia) makes nearby objects look blurry
Astigmatism can make far-away and nearby objects look blurry or distorted
Presbyopia makes it hard for middle-aged and older adults to see things up close
What are the symptoms of refractive errors?
The most common symptom is blurry vision. Other symptoms include:
Double vision
Hazy vision
Seeing a glare or halo around bright lights
Squinting
Headaches
Eye strain (when your eyes feel tired or sore)
Trouble focusing when reading or looking at a computer
Some people may not notice the symptoms of refractive errors. It’s important to get eye exams regularly — so your eye doctor can make sure you’re seeing as clearly as possible.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses and still have these symptoms, you might need a new prescription. Talk to your eye doctor and get an eye exam if you are having trouble with your vision.
Que: Am I at risk for refractive errors?
Anyone can have refractive errors, but you’re at higher risk if you have family members who wear glasses or contact lenses.
Most types of refractive errors, like nearsightedness, usually start in childhood. Presbyopia is common in adults ages 40 and older.
Talk with your doctor about your risk for refractive errors, and ask how often you need to get checked.
Que: What causes refractive errors?
Refractive errors can be caused by:
Eyeball length (when the eyeball grows too long or too short)
Problems with the shape of the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye)
Aging of the lens (an inner part of the eye that is normally clear and helps the eye focus)
Que: What’s the treatment for refractive errors?
Eye doctors can correct refractive errors with glasses or contact lenses, or fix the refractive error with surgery.
Glasses. Eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to correct refractive errors. Your eye doctor will prescribe the right eyeglass lenses to give you the clearest possible vision.
Contacts. Contact lenses sit on the surface of your eyes and correct refractive errors. Your eye doctor will fit you for the right lenses and show you how to clean and wear them safely.
Surgery. Some types of surgery, like laser eye surgery, can change the shape of your cornea to fix refractive errors. Your eye doctor can help you decide if surgery is right for you.
Contact Lens Clinic
Contact lenses are thin, clear disks of plastic that float on the surface of the eye.
Contact Lenses for Vision Correction
Contact Lens Types
Important Things to Know About Contact Lenses
Proper Care of Contact Lenses
FAQs
Other types of Contact lens
Contact Lenses for Vision Correction
Millions of people around the world wear contact lenses. When used with proper care and maintenance, contact lenses may provide a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses. They correct vision like eye glasses and are safe when used with care. Contact lenses are used to correct the same conditions that eyeglasses do i.e.
Myopia (nearsightedness),
Hyperopia (farsightedness),
Astigmatism (blurred vision due to the shape of the cornea)
Presbyopia (inability to see close up).
Types of Contact lens
There are two general types of contact lenses: hard and soft.
1) The hard lenses most commonly used today are rigid, gas-permeable lenses (RGP). They are durable, resist deposit build up, and generally allow for clear, crisp vision. They last longer than soft contacts, and also are easier to handle and less likely to tear. However, they may take a few weeks of getting used to.
2) Soft lenses are the choice of most contact lens wearers. These lenses are comfortable and made of flexible plastic that allow oxygen to pass through the cornea. Daily-wear lenses are the least expensive, are removed every night and are replaced on an individualized schedule. They should not be used as an extended-wear lens.
3) Extended-wear lenses are worn overnight but are removed at least weekly for thorough cleaning and disinfection. They are recommended less frequently, since there is a greater risk of corneal infection.
Important Things to Know About Contact Lenses
1. Lenses that are not properly cleaned and disinfected increase the risk of eye infection. Any lens that is removed from the eye needs to be cleaned and disinfected before it is reinserted.
2. Care of contact lenses includes cleaning their case, since it is a potential source of infection. The case should be rinsed with contact lens solution and allowed to dry.
3. Lenses that are old or not properly fitted may scratch the eye or cause blood vessels to grow into the cornea. Because a lens can warp over time, and the cornea can change shape, the fit of the contact lens and the power should be re-evaluated on a regular basis.
4. You may not be a good candidate for contacts if you have;
Frequent eye infections;
Severe allergies;
Dry eye that is resistant to treatment;
A very dusty work environment; or
An inability to handle and care for the lenses.
5. Any eyedrops you use can interact with all types of contact lenses. It is best to avoid the use of eyedrops while wearing lenses, except for wetting drops recommended by your eye doctor.
6. Homemade saline (salt water) solutions have been linked to serious corneal infections and should not be used.
7. Disposable-wear lenses are more expensive, but convenient. They are removed nightly and replaced on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Disposable lenses are sometimes recommended for people with allergies and for those who tend to form deposits on their lenses.
8. Cosmetic or decorative contact lenses are coloured contacts that change the appearance of your eye colour. Cosmetic lenses are available by prescription and should only be worn after an eye exam and fitting by qualified eye care professional.
9. Toric soft contact lenses can correct astigmatism, but sometimes not as well as RGP lenses do. They usually cost more than other contact lenses.
10. Bifocal or multifocal contact lenses are available in both soft and RPG varieties. They can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism in combination with presbyopia. Cleaning and disinfection are specific to the lens material. Visual quality is often not as good as with single vision lenses; however, for some people the ability to correct presbyopia is worth it.
Lens Care Tips:
Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before you handle your lenses.
To avoid getting your lenses mixed up always apply (or remove) your lenses, one at a time in the same order.
Contact lenses should not be rinsed with or stored in water (tap or sterile water).
Never use eye drops or solutions that are not specifically for contact lenses
Don’t use saliva to try and wet or clean your lenses. Saliva is not a sterile solution.
Don’t sleep with your lenses on.
Clean, rinse and disinfect your lenses every time you remove them.
Keep all your solution bottles tightly capped when you are not using them.
Don’t let the tip of solution bottles touch any surface (including your fingers or lenses)
Never use expired lens solution.
Never reuse lens solution.
Rinse your lens case every day with lens solution and not water and let it air dry.
Replace your lens case every three months or more frequently.
Do not let cosmetics like soap, make up, or sun screen touch your lens.
Never wear your lenses when you’re going to be around irritating fumes or vapours (paint, hair spray, oven cleaner etc…..).
Do not swim or go in a hot tub while wearing your lenses.
Cracked or chipped lens should never be worn.
During cleaning, rub your contact lenses with your fingers, then rinse the lenses with solution before soaking them. This “rub and rinse” method is considered by some experts to be a superior method of cleaning, even if the solution you are using is a “no-rub” variety.