Refractive Conditions (Astigmatism, Farsightedness, Nearsightedness, Presbyopia) in Napa, CA

At Eye Specialists of Napa Valley, we are here to help you with your eye care needs. From routine eye exams to surgical treatments, we treat a wide range of eye conditions. Refractive conditions are those that can typically be treated with glasses, contacts or LASIK. These include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), age-related farsightedness (presbyopia), and astigmatism. Most of our Napa, Benicia, and Sonoma, CA vision patients suffer from some combination of the above. Thankfully, these are common issues that have a variety of solutions that our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrist would be happy to chat with you about.

Myopia: Commonly known as nearsightedness, this condition causes individuals to see clearly close up but have difficulty seeing objects that are further away. This often develops in childhood and can progressively get worse over time.

Hyperopia: Commonly known as farsightedness, this condition causes individuals to have difficulty seeing close up but they are able to see clearly from a distance. Farsightedness can also occur in early childhood and become problematic with age.

Presbyopia: Commonly known as age-related farsightedness, this typically develops around age 40 and worsens until the mid-60’s. It is commonly improved with reading glasses or bifocals, though there are alternatives to these options as well.

Astigmatism: A common condition where the eye cannot focus light evenly on the retina. This is typically caused by an oblong curvature of the front of the eye and causes blurred and distorted vision.

Each refractive condition has specific symptoms associated with it. However, there are common symptoms that develop which indicate the presence of a refractive condition. These common symptoms include:

• Hazy vision
• Headaches
• Double vision
• Squinting
• Seeing a halo or glare around bright lights
• Issues focusing when looking at a computer or reading
• Eye strain (eyes feeling tired or sore)

Several factors can cause refractive conditions to develop. The type of refractive condition you have, typically depends on how your eye is shaped. Some of the other causes of refractive conditions include:

• The shape of the cornea
• The natural effects of aging
• Some individuals develop a refractive error following cataract surgery

All of these causes prevent light from focusing correctly on your retina. If you believe you may have a refractive error or are showing symptoms of a refractive condition, we encourage you to be seen by one of our experienced ophthalmologists for treatment.

Refractive conditions can impact vision clarity and require corrective measures. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of refractive conditions, such as:

• Variations of the eye anatomy, like eyeball shape and size
• Family history of refractive errors
• Environmental factors, like prolonged use of digital devices
• Age-related changes

At Eye Specialists of Napa Valley, diagnosing refractive conditions involves a comprehensive and patient-centered approach. Skilled eye care professionals employ various techniques, including a thorough eye exam to assess visual acuity, the shape of your cornea, and the overall health of your eyes. Advanced technologies are utilized to measure the eyes' focusing abilities and detect any irregularities. Our team will meet with patients to discuss vision concerns, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Our team is committed to utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and personalized care to address and manage refractive conditions.

If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, age-related farsightedness, or astigmatism, you are likely aware of the difficulties these conditions can cause. Our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrist can help you find a way to comfortably treat these conditions. After a comprehensive eye exam, our Napa, CA vision team can help determine the proper prescription or treatment to improve your sight. If vision correction through glasses or contacts is the right choice for you, we can set you up with a stylish pair of glasses or a comfortable pair of contacts. In some cases, laser eye surgery or refractive lens exchange surgery may be available. Speak to your Eye Specialists of Napa Valley doctor to determine if this is an option for you.

How many people have refractive errors in their eyes?
Refractive errors are very common and affect more than 150 million Americans.

Will my refractive error go away on its own?
Refractive conditions cannot be cured. However, there are several ways to improve your vision. Contact one of our locations in Palm Beach County to schedule a consultation to find out more.

What are the different types of refractive errors?
There are four general classes of refractive errors:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Presbyopia (vision loss due to aging)
• Astigmatism (a cornea with an abnormal shape)

What kinds of symptoms do refractive errors cause?
A refractive error will typically affect your vision by causing:

• Blurred vision
• Tired eyes
• Difficulty focusing your eyes
• Fatigue
• Headaches and migraines
• Pain in and around the eyes

What happens if a refractive error is left untreated?
Generally speaking, if a refractive error is left uncorrected, it will most likely cause vision impairment. Unaddressed refractive errors, in some cases, can even cause blindness.

When do refractive errors develop?
Refractive errors can develop at any age, but they often begin in childhood or early adulthood. Factors like genetics, eye growth, and environmental influences contribute to the onset of refractive errors, which may progress or stabilize over time.

If you are tired of squinting, asking a friend or family member to hold something at a distance for you, or if you would like to be able to drive at night more easily, you may be suffering from one of four common vision conditions: nearsightedness, farsightedness, age-related farsightedness, or astigmatism. The good news is these conditions are common and very easy to treat at Eye Specialists of Napa Valley. Our talented team of board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrist can perform comprehensive eye exams to determine your condition(s) and severity. From there, they can create a prescription that would allow you to see more clearly. Depending on your lifestyle, contacts or glasses may be suggested. In some cases, a patient here in Napa, CA, may be interested in laser eye surgery, which can be discussed with their doctor. For more information on common vision conditions or to schedule an eye exam, please contact our friendly office staff today.