Refractive errors can distort your vision and make reading, driving, or performing daily tasks difficult. They are a common vision problem in children, teenagers, and adults alike. Refractive errors occur when there are irregularities in your eyeball, the cornea, or the lens of your eyes. These irregularities keep light from focusing correctly onto the retina in the back of your eye. At Arvada Optometric Center in Arvada, CO, we can diagnose refractive errors through eye exams and offer options for correcting refractions and improving your sight.
Types of Refractive Errors
There are four types of refractive errors that can distort your vision. These refractive errors are:
• Myopia, or nearsightedness, which affects your distance vision.
• Hyperopia, or farsightedness, which affects your near vision.
• Presbyopia makes it harder for older adults to see objects up close.
• Astigmatism affects both your near and distant vision.
The effects of refractive errors will vary from person to person. Your visual impairment may be mild or severe, depending on the cause of your condition.
Visual Problems Caused by Refractive Errors
Some common symptoms of refractive errors are:
• blurry or double-vision
• seeing halos around lights
• squinting to see more clearly
• eye strain
• difficulty focusing when reading or using digital screens
• frequent headaches
Your vision gradually changes as you age, so you might not be aware of refractive errors impairing your sight. Routine visits to your eye doctor will enable your optometry specialist to monitor your vision and ensure your eyes and vision remain strong and healthy.
Treatment of Refractive Errors
There are numerous ways to correct the effects of refractive errors, including:
• prescription eyeglasses
• contact lenses
• eye surgery
Most people choose eyeglasses to improve their vision since they are safe, versatile, and affordable. Your optometrist can give you a prescription for glasses that will improve the quality of your sight.
You may prefer contacts to eyeglasses if you live an active lifestyle that includes sports or outdoor activities. You are less likely to damage contact lenses while participating in these activities. Your optometry specialist will schedule a contact lens exam and fitting to determine which contact lenses are correct for you.
You can also choose LASIK surgery to correct problems with refractive errors. LASIK surgery physically reshapes your cornea and lens to give you clearer, sharper sight. Our eye doctor will test your eye health and vision to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
See Your Arvada, CO, Optometrist to Treat Your Refractive Errors
Refractive errors can make it challenging to go about your day-to-day life, so contact Arvada Optometric Center in Arvada, CO, to get the vision correction treatment you need to ensure your eyes and vision are strong. Call us and schedule an eye exam today at(303) 424-5282. We are here to make your vision the best it can be.