People who wear corrective devices every day, be it a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses, have vision problems in which their eyes fail to focus light properly. About 150 million Americans suffer from refractive errors, experiencing symptoms ranging from blurred vision to eye strain. Read on to learn what causes them, and how they are diagnosed and treated.
What Are Refractive Errors?
Refractive errors are a common eye condition that occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from being properly focused onto the retina. This results in blurred vision and can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. The most common types of refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.
Causes of Refractive Errors
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of refractive errors in the eyes. These include the following:
- Heredity. If you have a family history of vision problems, you may be more likely to develop a refractive error yourself.
- Lifestyle Habits. Certain lifestyle habits can also contribute to the development of refractive errors. For example, spending too much time looking at screens or straining your eyes in dim light can lead to blurry vision. Wearing the wrong type of glasses or contact lenses may also increase your risk of developing a refractive error.
- Age. As you get older, your eyes naturally begin to change shape, which can lead to refractive errors. Presbyopia is a common age-related refractive error that affects people over the age of 40 and causes near objects to appear blurry.
- Health Conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure and certain eye diseases are all associated with an increased risk of developing refractive errors.
Diagnosis
Refractive errors can be diagnosed by an eye doctor in Falls Church, VA, during a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, your optometrist will use a series of tests to measure the shape and size of your eyes and determine if you have any refractive errors.
Treatment
Once a refractive error has been diagnosed, your optometrist can recommend the best treatment option for you. In most cases, eyeglasses or contact lenses are used to correct refractive errors. In more severe cases, laser surgery may be recommended.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
Whether you have refractive errors or not, it always makes sense to schedule regular eye exams to ensure the health of your eyes. If you live in Fall Church, VA, and the surrounding areas, look no further than Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry for top-notch eye care services. Our team of experienced optometrists will be happy to help you find the best treatment option for your individual needs.
In addition, we also offer sports vision training, cataract treatments and more. Give us a call at (703) 573-1200, or fill out our contact form.
