Refractive error is a mismatch between the eye’s focusing power and its length, so images do not focus sharply on the retina. The main types are myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
How it affects vision
Myopia causes blurred distance vision, hyperopia affects near (and sometimes distance) tasks, astigmatism distorts images, and presbyopia reduces near focusing with age. Many people have a combination of these.
- Very common and usually easily corrected
- Measured during routine eye tests
- High refractive errors can increase the risk of other eye disease
Correction options
Glasses and contact lenses are the standard treatments, while laser eye surgery or lens-based procedures offer longer-term correction in suitable adults through services such as laser eye surgery and lens replacement surgery.
