Many people have refractive errors, or degree power in their eyes, that require correction by wearing a pair of prescription spectacles or contact lenses. As it is usually rather confusing for many, let us go through the various different types of degree powers that may affect you.
Emmetropia/Normal vision
An eyeball with no visual defects, light rays entering the eye focus on the retina perfectly. Vision at distant and near is clear and sharp. No corrective eyewear is needed.
Myopia/Near-sightedness
An eyeball that is longer than usual, causing light to focus in front of the retina. With myopia, viewing objects at near will be clear while distant vision will be blurry.
Hyperopia/Far-sightedness
An eyeball that is shorter than usual, causing light to focus behind the retina. With hyperopia, certain distant range vision will be clear while you will experience difficulties seeing objects up-close.
Astigmatism
Due to irregularity of the corneal surface or lenticular shape, light rays entering the eye will focus on different points on the retina. This leads to blurry and distorted distant and near vision.
Our recommendations
Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism usually requires refractive correction for allow clearer vision. We aim to detect myopia early so that we can slow it down as early as possible. It is important to bring your child for an eye assessment from age 3 to 4 years old to determine whether there is any onset of refractive errors.
With the widespread current use of digital screens in our current era, there are growing concerns of rapidly progressing myopia in our children and even some adults. There has been scientific evidence to show that atropine eyedrops used in different dosages may help to limit or slow -down the increase in myopia. If you would like to consider this option, bring your child to see a qualified eye doctor for an assessment.
