Refractive Errors: Types, Symptoms, and Management

Refractive errors are among the commonly encountered ophthalmic conditions in clinical practice, categorized into three primary types: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Each type manifests distinct clinical presentations.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

1. Mild Myopia: Patients typically experience no conscious symptoms.

2. Moderate Myopia: Characterized by blurred vision for distant objects, with good near vision. Often accompanied by eye fatigue symptoms such as dryness, soreness, and pain in the eyes.

3. High Myopia: In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, patients may also experience floaters, flashes of light, and in severe cases, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

1. Mild Hyperopia: Usually asymptomatic, often detected during routine physical examinations among children.

2. Moderate Hyperopia: Manifests as blurred vision, particularly after prolonged visual tasks, and may be accompanied by symptoms of visual fatigue like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.

3. Severe Hyperopia: Beyond the aforementioned symptoms, it can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye), where one eye has poorer vision than the other, and an imbalance in binocular adjustment, affecting stereoscopic vision.

Astigmatism

1. Mild Astigmatism: Has minimal impact on daily life and generally does not cause any discomfort.

2. Moderate Astigmatism: Causes blurred vision, especially during reading or watching television. Compensatory behaviors like tilting the head or squinting may occur to improve vision.

3. Severe Astigmatism: Not only affects daily activities but also poses a risk of retinal detachment and even blindness.

If refractive errors are left untreated, they can lead to a range of complications, including visual fatigue, strabismus (squint), and amblyopia. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with refractive errors promptly seek medical attention for standardized treatment based on their individual conditions. Daily habits should prioritize proper eye usage, avoiding late nights, excessive fatigue, and prolonged exposure to electronic devices.