Refractions, Refractive Errors...What does it all mean?

Your eye is best described as a camera, and like a camera, it has a lens to focus an image to the back of the eye, known as the retina. If the front of the eye or the cornea is not perfectly spherical, you will not get a clear image.  Therefore, eyeglasses and contact lenses are most commonly used to correct myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).  Alternatively, Laser Vision Correction (LASIK or PRK) surgically reshapes the cornea to correct your distance vision. The cornea can either be spherical like a basketball or have different curves like a football. When you visit your eye doctor, an analysis of your eyes, or refraction, is done to prescribe glasses to correct your vision. In my office, I personally determine your best prescription using computerized programs, manual refraction, and corneal mapping, if needed.  As we age, presbyopia, or inability to focus at near objects, occurs. Thus we need reading glasses. Next week... LASER VISION CORRECTION

Author

Todd J. Bragin, MD FACS, FAAO Dr. Todd Bragin graduated from SUNY Stony Brook, Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated the highly ranked Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. After completing his internship in General Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC he did his specialized residency in Ophthalmology at St. Vincent's Hospital/Medical Center of NY, where he was was Chief Resident in 1985. He has completed many postdoctoral courses and specializes in Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Advanced Cataract Surgery, Refractive Surgery, and Glaucoma. He his a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and American Academy of Ophthalmology.