What are the main types of refractive errors?

The five most common refractive errors affecting Australians are astigmatism, myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), presbyopia, and cataracts. Each condition affects your vision differently and can be corrected with prescription eyewea

Abstract swirling pattern with blue and orange colours to highlight astigmatic vision condition.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is an eye condition that results in blurred vision at multiple distances. It is caused by a 'warped' cornea - a cornea that curves unevenly, rather than curving equally in all directions like a basketball. Instead, the cornea is shaped more like a football.

With astigmatism your vision can be blurry at various distances - short, middle, and long range - and can distort objects, making them appear slanted or tilted. You can be born with astigmatism or develop it later in life. Common symptoms include headache, eye fatigue, squinting, eye discomfort and irritation, particularly after prolonged reading or screen time.

Astigmatism is easily corrected with prescription glasses or toric contact lenses designed specifically for this condition. 

Find our more about astigmatism

(short-sightedness)

Myopia

Myopia, commonly called 'short-sightedness', is a very common eye condition that affects nearly one-third of all Australians. Short-sightedness means that you are unable to see objects in the distance clearly, but are able to see objects closer to you without difficulty.

It is not known exactly what causes short-sightedness, but it is believed that poor reading habits, spending a lot of time looking at objects at a close distance (such as phones and computers), and poor lighting may contribute to the problem. However, it has also been found to be more common in children whose parents have myopia, suggesting a genetic component. Myopia is often first discovered when a child is at school and can't focus on the board at the front of the room.

Myopia can be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses that help focus distant objects clearly on your retina.

Read more about myopia
An image reflecting the long-sighted nature of the condition hyperopia containing glasses showing vision of a shoreline, and blurred vision outside the glasses.

(long-sightedness)

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, often called 'long-sightedness', is a common eye condition affecting nearly a quarter of all Australians. It causes nearby objects such as books, phones, or computer screens to appear blurry, whereas objects further in the distance are easier to see clearly.

Symptoms of hyperopia include headaches and strained eyes as a result of looking at nearby objects for a long period of time, particularly during reading or close-up work. Often hyperopia is something you are born with but only becomes apparent when you are an adult. This is because your eyes no longer have the same ability to focus and compensate for the issue as they did when you were younger.

Hyperopia can be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses that help you see nearby objects clearly.

Read more about hyperopia
An image reflecting the subtlety of presbyopia. Glasses sitting on an elegant book open with text.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an extremely common age-related eye condition that affects the vast majority of Australians over forty. It is literally caused by the eye 'aging', leading to decreased flexibility in the eye's natural lens. This natural aging process makes it progressively harder for your eye to focus on close objects.

Presbyopia makes it very difficult to focus on objects at close range, including small size font on a computer screen, phone or newspaper. You may find yourself holding reading material at arm's length to see it clearly. Although the symptoms of presbyopia are often confused with hyperopia (long-sightedness), presbyopia is specifically caused by age-related changes in the lens, whereas hyperopia can happen at any time in life.

Presbyopia can be corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or multifocal contact lenses.

Find out more about presbyopia
A stylistic image depicting cataracts or an eye lense surrounded by the cloudiness of the condition.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a condition that cause your eye's natural lens to become cloudy, similar to looking through a foggy window. It may start in a particular area, but with time cataracts can grow so large that it becomes hard to see out of one or both eyes. This clouding occurs when proteins in the lens break down and clump together.

Cataracts are not only a concern of elderly people - babies can be born with cataracts, and you can also develop them following an eye trauma or injury. Early symptoms of cataracts can be managed with stronger prescription glasses and improved lighting; however, many Australians eventually opt for cataract surgery to have the clouded lens replaced with a clear artificial lens.

Learn more about cataracts

How are refractive errors diagnosed and treated in Australia?

If you're experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain, visit an Australian optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. Refractive errors are diagnosed through a series of vision tests and can be easily corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses tailored to your specific needs.

At Eyes Online, we offer a wide range of prescription glasses and contact lenses to correct all types of refractive errors, with free shipping Australia-wide.

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