Disease or Syndrome
refractive error
[ ri-frak-tiv er-er ]
Subclass of:
Disorder of eye
Also called:
Farsightedness; Hyperopia; Myopia; Nearsightedness
Definitions related to refractive errors:
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A defect in the focusing of light on the retina as in astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Deviations from the average or standard indices of refraction of the eye through its dioptric or refractive apparatus.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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The cornea and lens of your eye helps you focus. Refractive errors are vision problems that happen when the shape of the eye keeps you from focusing well. The cause could be the length of the eyeball (longer or shorter), changes in the shape of the cornea, or aging of the lens. Four common refractive errors are Myopia, or nearsightedness - clear vision close up but blurry in the distance; Hyperopia, or farsightedness - clear vision in the distance but blurry close up; Presbyopia - inability to focus close up as a result of aging; Astigmatism - focus problems caused by the cornea. The most common symptom is blurred vision. Other symptoms may include double vision, haziness, glare or halos around bright lights, squinting, headaches, or eye strain. Glasses or contact lenses can usually correct refractive errors. Laser eye surgery may also be a possibility. NIH: National Eye InstituteMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(eye refraction disorder) Blurred vision caused by the eye focusing light either behind or in front of the retina.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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In the emmetropic (normally refracted) eye, entering light rays are focused on the retina by the cornea and the lens, creating a sharp image that is transmitted to the brain. The lens is elastic, more so in younger people. During accommodation, the ciliary muscles adjust lens shape to properly focus images. Refractive errors are failure...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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