What Are Refractive Errors?
If you are having trouble seeing things that are far away or up close, you might have a refractive error. Refractive errors, the most common type of vision problem, occur when your eye shape prevents light from focusing correctly on your retina.
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, makes it difficult for you to see distant objects. You may squint or have headaches while watching TV or driving. On the other hand, farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, affects your ability to see objects up close. You may experience eye strain, blurred vision, or difficulty reading or doing close-up work. Astigmatism occurs when there is an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens that causes blurred vision at all distances. Age and genetics are common causes of refractive errors, but injury can also trigger them.
There are many ways to correct refractive errors with glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent refractive errors.
