1 in 3 people suffer from astigmatism, a third of the population suffer from hypermetropia and almost a quarter from myopia. We can say that refractive errors are the world’s most common ophthalmological disorders. As a result, medicine has evolved and the technologies available on the market today are designed to help patients suffering from myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism.
What are refractive errors?
The eyes are designed to capture images from the environment and focus them on the retina. The eyeball consists of a system of lenses that refract light, forming parallel rays that appear on the retina as images. If the eyeball is altered in shape, the transmitted rays are no longer parallel and images are no longer created properly. This results in a refractive error, which prevents images from forming correctly on the retina.
Refractive errors are also known as “accommodation disorders” and differ, depending on the focusing problem. They have multiple causes and can occur in both adults and children and are – most often – genetic.
How many types of refractive errors are there?
Refractive errors include myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism.
Myopia means problematic distance vision. Myopic patients see well up close. In most cases, the disorder is genetic and becomes apparent in childhood. Myopia is a refractive error that can develop gradually or rapidly, but it is important to know that it can be corrected. Glasses with special lenses and surgery are the most common methods recommended by specialists.
Hypermetropia means blurred near vision. Patients with hypermetropia see well at a distance, but have trouble focusing when reading, sitting at a computer or on a phone, or looking at things in close proximity. This refractive error is more likely to occur in adults over 40, but can also occur in younger adults, children and infants. The severe form of hypermetropia affects not only near vision but also distance vision.
Astigmatism is a refractive error that affects the way the image is focused, regardless of distance. Patients suffering from astigmatism have an irregular curvature of the cornea, which causes blurred vision. Astigmatism is usually inherited, but it can also develop alongside other refractive errors – myopia or hypermetropia. Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses or lenses, or by surgery.
How do refractive errors manifest in adults and children?
Refractive errors have different symptoms, depending on the patient’s age, gender and health, as well as the stage of the disease.
Myopic patients face:
- Migraines
- Eye strain
- Excessive blinking
- Driving difficulties
- Blurred distance vision
- Constant need to scratch their eyes
- Need to bring objects as close to them as possible
- Tendency to keep eyes half open when trying to focus on distant images
Patients suffering from hypermetropia face:
- Migraines, when focusing on close objects
- Burning sensations and pain in the eyes
- Blurred near vision
- The need to frown when focusing on nearby objects
- Eye strain
Patients suffering from astigmatism face:
- Blurred vision, no matter how far away are the things they are trying to focus on
- Migraines
- Eye pain
- Fatigue
- Irritation sensation
- Difficulty in distinguishing digits and similar numbers
How are refractive errors corrected?
Myopia
As mentioned in the section on types of refractive errors, myopia can be corrected with glasses and lenses and by surgery.
- Glasses – the patient needs examination, investigation, diagnosis, and then lenses are prescribed by the specialist.
- Contact lenses – an option for those who don’t want to wear glasses for aesthetic reasons. Hygiene of contact lenses is essential in this case (keeping them in a sterile environment overnight).
Laser surgeries performed at Dr. Holhoș clinics are minimally invasive, painless and the healing period is extremely short. The procedure aims to correct myopia in order to remove both glasses or lenses and refractive error. You can opt for:
- Lenticular laser surgery – which includes SMILE Pro and SMILE laser surgery – is performed with state-of-the-art technology of the ophthalmic industry and can correct myopia down to -10 diopters. The patient sees clearly immediately after surgery.
- FemtoLASIK laser surgery (2nd generation)
- Excimer PRK laser surgery – it’s another type of myopia surgery, but – again – it’s safe, short and with minimal discomfort for the patient.
- Multifocal lens implant – is recommended for high diopters and is similar to cataract surgery.
Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia can be surgically corrected, within the Dr. Holhoș ophthalmology network, by:
- SMILE Pro laser surgery
- FemtoLasik diopter reduction surgery
- Excimer laser diopter reduction surgery
- Lens implant surgery
But this refractive error can also be corrected with:
- Glasses
- Contact lens
Astigmatism
If surgery is not an option, astigmatism can be corrected with the help of:
- Glasses – with lenses prescribed by the doctor, based on specialist examination.
- Contact lenses – a more comfortable and equally effective choice. Good hand hygiene is recommended before applying them.
The advantage of glasses and lenses is that they are more affordable. However, the safest method of correcting this refractive error is surgery. Laser procedures provide the desired results immediately after surgery. Dr. Holhoș Clinic can perform:
- Lenticular laser surgery (SMILE Pro or SMILE surgery)
- FemtoLasik diopter reduction surgery
- Excimer PRK laser surgery
- Multifocal lens implant surgery
The first step is the ophthalmological examination, and the Dr. Holhoș network is waiting for you in its clinics in Cluj-Napoca, Turda, Alba Iulia, Sibiu and Mediaș, with specialists prepared to give you the correct diagnosis, followed by the best care.