Refractive errors are conditions caused by the eye's inability to properly focus light rays. Three major types of vision disorder are hyperopia or farsightedness; myopia or nearsightedness, and astigmatism, which causes the eye to form a blurred image of an object.
The cornea and lens bend light as light waves pass through them. This process is known as refraction. In a normal eye, the light waves are brought to focus on the retina. The retina is a thin membrane at the back of the eye. Light waves cause chemical changes in the retina. These chemical changes set off a signal that passes through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain reads that signal as a visual image.
Visual disorders develop when the cornea and/or the lens do not properly focus light waves. The light waves do not come to a focus (that is, they do not all reach the same point) on the retina. They may come to a focus in front of the retina or behind the retina. When light waves come to a focus in front of the retina, the person has myopia, or nearsightedness. People who are nearsighted can see objects close at hand, but they cannot see objects far away clearly. When light waves come to a focus behind the retina, the person has hyperopia, or farsightedness. People who are farsighted (hyperopic) can see objects far away but cannot clearly see objects close at hand.
Most refractive errors are thought to be inherited. That is, the disorders are passed down from one generation to the next. Most babies are born slightly hyperopic. However, this pattern changes as they grow older. In most cases, children develop normal vision. They may, however, become more hyperopic, or they may develop myopia. Some eye care specialists argue that refractive errors may be caused by a number of factors. For example, they think that factors in the environment, such as work conditions, stress, and eye strain, can contribute to the development of refractive errors.
Traditionally, the usual treatment for refractive errors has been fitting the patient with eyeglasses or contact lenses. But now many refractive errors can be treated surgically.
Call our office TODAY at 323-937-2269 to schedule consultation with Dr. Kagan to find out which procedure is best for you!
