Refractive Errors2025-04-10T11:22:37+00:00

Refractive Errors Treatment

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What are refractive errors?

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Everything you need to know about refractive errors

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT REFRACTIVE ERRORS AND WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH

Refractive errors are common eye problems that affect about half of all European adults. Most people can correct refractive errors with glasses and contact lenses. However, some people are dissatisfied with their glasses and contact lenses due to their limitations and risks.

There are four main types of refractive errors. They are:

  • Short-sightedness
  • Long-sightedness
  • Astigmatism
  • Presbyopia

Short-sightedness (myopia)

When you’re short-sighted, you can see close objects; however, objects in the distance are blurry. This eye condition is also known as short-sightedness.

Long-sightedness (hyperopia)

When you are long-sighted, you can see objects distant objects; however, close objects appear blurry. This eye condition is also known as long-sightedness.

Astigmatism

The cornea is the window at the front of the eye. Your lens sits inside your eye. If you have astigmatism, they might be less like a round surface, and more like a rugby ball.

Presbyopia

Everyone develops presbyopia as they age. As your lenses age, they do not flex as quickly as when you were young. That makes reading difficult and close objects blurry.

Short-sightedness

Short-sightedness (myopia) is typically diagnosed when you’re in your teenage years. The condition occurs because of a combination of genetic factors and excessive eye growth.

Experts believe that the rapidly rising rates of short-sightedness are related to extreme close up focusing (such as excessive reading and use of mobile screens) during the early teenage years. Lack of exposure to sunlight and outdoor conditions is also believed to cause this condition.

Long-sightedness

Long-sighted patients do not have the focusing power, or the eye is not strong enough to bring things into focus – this results in blurred vision.

The additional strain put on the eye to try and focus can cause eyestrain, squinting, and headaches.

This excessive strain can become even more problematic for long-sighted patients from age 40 onwards when the onset of presbyopia begins.

Long-sighted patients typically have shorter than average eyes. This can be due to a combination of genetic factors.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is where the cornea and/or lens of the eye, rather than being completely round-shaped, is actually slightly oval-shaped and elongated.

Just like many of us who have slightly asymmetrical faces and other bodily features, the cornea and lens can also have irregularities. In the case of eyes, these differences in symmetry and shape result in visual distortion.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an eye condition which causes people aged 45 and older to need reading glasses. The eye’s natural lens stiffens as we age, and this causes you to lose the ability to focus close up gradually.

A complete eye exam will determine your refractive error.

Essential components of an examination include:

  • Refraction (spectacle test),
  • Ocular examination
  • A dilated fundus examination to check the health of the eye and retina

Refractive surgery

The most common method to correct refractive errors are eyeglasses or contact lenses. The prescribed lenses will help to precisely put the light rays (the images you see) on the retina.

Over the last few decades, a variety of surgical procedures collectively known as refractive surgery has become a popular method in correcting refractive errors to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses and contact lenses.

In most cases, these procedures ultimately alter the shape of the cornea (the clear window at the front of your eye). Reshaping the cornea enables light rays to focus on the retina and give good vision.

The most common effective surgical procedures are:

  • LASIK
  • LASEK
  • PRK
  • AK
  • RK
  • Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Implantable Contact Lens ICL, and Artisan Iris-Clip IOLs
  • Accommodative IOLs
  • Multifocal IOLs
  • Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Each of these procedures offers a different technique for refocusing light more accurately on the retina. They all have advantages and disadvantages, and not every treatment is suitable for every person.

I will act as your guide to assist you in deciding which one is best for you.

Short-sightedness

At Eye Clinic London we can permanently correct short-sightedness with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).

Long-sightedness

At Eye Clinic London, we can permanently correct long-sightedness with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).

Astigmatism

At Eye Clinic London, we can permanently correct astigmatism with refractive surgery (which can be either laser eye surgery or lens surgery).

Presbyopia

Permanent correction for presbyopia involves replacing your natural lens with an artificial lens that we implant inside your eye.

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Even more information about eye conditions

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Helpful links to more information on refractive errors and surgery

COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED AUTHORITIES

This article has everything you need to know about refractive errors. What they are, the causes, symptoms, and more. Click here for more information.

A great overview of refractive errors, including the risk factors and causes. Click here for more information.

If you are interested in learning about all the possible treatments for refractive errors, this article should be extremely beneficial to you. Click here for more information.

This article on WebMD gives an introduction to vision problems, as well as many different refractive error links that can be useful in determining your next steps. Click here for more information.

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About the author

Mr Samer Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal surgeon

MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth

I am Samer Hamada, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK.

At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.