Types of Refractive Eye Disorders

• Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Astigmatism

Types discussion:

When the cornea is curved too much, or if the eye is too long, faraway objects will appear blurry because they are focused in front of the retina. This is called myopia, or nearsightedness. Myopia affects over 25 percent of all adult Americans.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the opposite of myopia. Distant objects are clear, and close-up objects appear blurry. With hyperopia, images focus on a point beyond the retina. Hyperopia results from an eye that is too short.

Astigmatism is a condition in which the uneven curvature of the cornea blurs and distorts both distant and near objects. A normal cornea is round, with even curves from side to side and top to bottom. With astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like the back of a spoon, curved more in one direction than in another. This causes light rays to have more than one focal point and focus on two separate areas of the retina, distorting the visual image. Two-thirds of Americans with myopia also have astigmatism. (Source: excerpt from Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease: NEI)

Refractive Eye Disorders: Related Disease Topics

More general medical disease topics related to Refractive Eye Disorders include:

• Eye conditions

Research More About Refractive Eye Disorders

• Refractive Eye Disorders: Introduction
• Symptoms: Refractive Eye Disorders
• Treatments: Refractive Eye Disorders

 » Next page: Prevalence of Types of Refractive Eye Disorders

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• Prevalence of Types of Refractive Eye Disorders
• Causes of Refractive Eye Disorders
• Symptoms of Refractive Eye Disorders
• Diagnostic Tests for Refractive Eye Disorders
• Diagnosis of Refractive Eye Disorders

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