Refractive errors

Refractive errors are common eye conditions, like farsightedness and nearsightedness, that lead to blurry vision. They can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery. Ophthalmologists and optometrists can diagnose refractive errors and prescribe corrective lenses during routine eye exams.

Penn Medicine has one of the largest teams of comprehensive eye care specialists in the nation, and we have a long history of providing exceptional eye care to adults and children. Our wide-ranging services include exams that check your vision and overall eye health and expert fittings for your eyeglasses and contact lenses. If you’re interested in eye surgery, our skilled surgeons can fix refractive errors and help you see more clearly.

The most common types of refractive errors include:

• Nearsightedness (myopia): This type of refractive error makes nearby objects look clear, while things far away look blurry.
• Farsightedness (hyperopia): Farsightedness means things in the distance are sharp, but it’s hard to focus on objects up close.
• Age-related farsightedness (presbyopia): Some people become farsighted as they get older. Presbyopia can develop after age 40.
• Astigmatism: Objects both near and far look blurry with astigmatism.

Blurry vision is the main symptom of refractive errors, but you might also experience double vision, glares around bright lights, eye strain, and eye discomfort. Uncorrected refractive errors can also lead to squinting and may cause headaches.

Refractive errors are caused by the way light bends (refracts) inside your eye. Light enters first through the cornea, the dome-shaped front layer of your eye, and moves through the lens in your inner eye. The cornea and lens both focus light on cells that line the back of your eye, called the retina, which sends electrical signals to your brain that allow you to see the images around you.

When light doesn’t focus correctly on the retina, your vision will be blurry. Refractive errors of the eye can happen if the curve of your cornea is too steep or too flat, your eyeball is longer or shorter than usual, or aging has caused your lens to be less elastic.

A standard eye exam can diagnose these eye conditions. You might not notice that you’re having problems with your eyesight, so it’s important to see your eye care specialist regularly. Part of the exam includes a visual acuity test, which involves reading a wall chart of letters of different sizes. If you need corrective lenses for better vision, a refraction test can determine the precise prescription to help you see more clearly. Ask your doctor how often you should get eye exams, even if you already wear glasses or contacts.

Refractive errors can be fully corrected with prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Over time, your doctor may adjust your prescription as your eyes change. Refractive surgery to change the curvature of your cornea can also correct these vision problems and help you see without glasses or contacts. If you’re considering surgery, talk to your doctor about your options.

Penn Medicine’s eye specialists are dedicated to improving your vision through comprehensive eye exams and vision correction that fits your lifestyle. We use innovative technology to diagnose refractive errors, and we provide personalized eyewear fittings to ensure your glasses feel and look good. If you wear contact lenses, our exams and fittings focus on providing clear and comfortable vision. Our experienced surgeons also perform refractive surgery for long-term visual clarity. As leaders in eye care throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, our mission is to enhance your vision and help you maintain good eye health for life.