This is the inability of images to be focused properly on the retina. The most common refractive errors are long
sightedness, short sightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism.
Clinical features
REFRACTIVE ERROR | CAUSES | CLINICAL FEATURES |
---|---|---|
Hyperopia, long-sightedness or far-sightedness, also termed hypermetropia can be physiological (axial or refractive) or pathological (mal-development, anatomical or drug-induced) in nature. |
|
|
Myopia, short-sightedness or near-sightedness It can be simple (length and power), pathological/degenerative (mal-development or anatomical) in nature, induced or pseudomyopia. |
|
|
Presbyopia It is an age-related visual impairment. It results from the gradual decrease in accommodation expected with age and can have multiple effects on quality of vision and quality of life. |
|
|
Investigations
- History (blurred vision, asthenopia, etc.)
- Visual Acuity (distance, near and pinhole)
- Refraction
- Ocular motility, Binocular Vision and Accommodation
- Ocular health assessment (slit lamp, fundus assessment)
MANAGEMENT
- Optical correction with spectacles or contact lenses
- Vision therapy/orthoptics (for pseudomyopia)
- For presbyopia: multifocal lenses
- Refractive Surgery