REFRACTIVE ERRORS
Optics of Eye
Eye is like a photographic camera
Cornea & Crystalline Lens are two strong
refractive media
Total Diaoptric Power – +58.6D
2/3 refraction at cornea, 1/3 at Lens
Nodal point in posterior part of Lens
Axial Length 24 mm
Optics of Eye
Accommodation is a phenomenon which
increases the converging power of eye by
augmenting refractive power of crystalline
lens by increasing its curvature
Increase in Dioptric Power of Lens
Constriction of Pupil
Convergence
Optics of Eye
Amplitude of Accommodation (A) =
Refractive power of Eye in fully accommodated state
(P) – Refractive power of eye at rest ( R )
A= P – R
Child with near point 7 cm
A = 100/7 – 1/∞ = 14 - 0 = 14 D
Amplitude of accommodation decreases with age
Refractive Error
Emmetropia – Absence of Refractive Error
“is that dioptric condition of eye in which with
accommodation at rest the parallel rays
come to focus on the light sensitive layer of
retina”
Ametropia- is a condition in which parallel
rays of light do not come to a focus upon
light sensitive layer of the retina.
Refractive Error
Types of Ametropia
Axial Ametropia – Abnormal axial length of globe
(Too Long – Myopia, Too short – Hypermetropia)
Curvature Ametropia- Abnormal curvature of
refracting surface of cornea/ lens
Index Ametropia- Abnormal refractive index of
Lens
Abnormal position of the lens-
Forward displacement – Myopia
Backward displacement - Hypermetropia
Refractive Errors
Common Refractive Errors
- Myopia
- Hypermetropia
- Astigmatism
Myopia
Also known as ‘Short Sight’
Definition
‘Myopia is that dioptric condition of the eye in
which with accommodation at rest incident
parallel rays come to a focus anterior to the
light sensitive layer of the retina’
Myopia
Types of Myopia
Axial Myopia – Most common
Curvature Myopia - Keratoconus
Index – Nuclear cataract
Abnormal position of Lens – Forward
displacement of Lens
Myopia
Clinical Classification
Developmental
Simple
Pathological
Myopia
Developmental Myopia
Present since birth
Uniocular
High degree Myopia ( – 10 D)
Does not Progress
Myopia
Simple Myopia
Usually develops during 5 – 10 yrs of age
Progresses during adolescence
Do not progress beyond adolescence
Rarely progresses beyond 5 – 6 D of Myopia
No degenerative changes in the fundus
Pathological Myopia
Pathological Myopia is a progressive myopia
associated with degenerative changes in the fundus
Appears in childhood usually between the age of
5-10 yrs
Steadily increases up to the age of 25 yrs or beyond
Myopia may reach up to -15 to -25 D
Hereditary
Racial predilection- common in Jews and Japanese
Pathological Myopia
Essentially disturbance of growth on which
are imposed degenerative phenomenon
Condition is genetically predetermined
Endocrine factors, nutritional factors, debility
excessive near work are incidental
Myopia
Increase in axial length mainly affects
posterior equator. Part of eye anterior to
equator will be normal
Elongation occurs mainly due to
degenerative changes of ocular coats
Myopia
Symptoms
Indistinct distant vision
In high myopia discomfort after near work
Disproportion between convergence and
accommodation can lead to exotropia
Eyes sensitive to light
Seeing Black spots / Flashes of light
Myopia
Eyes are prominent
Anterior chamber appears deeper
Pupils are large
Pathological Myopia
Fundus Changes
Myopic Crescent
Chorio retinal degeneration
Foster Fuchs spots (Black spots at macula)
Small haemorrhages at macula
Breaks in Bruch’s Membrane – Lacquer cracks
Posterior staphyloma
Peripheral degenerations like Lattice degeneration
Vitreous becomes fluid, Floaters seen
High risk of retinal detachment
Treatment of Myopia
Spectacle correction (Concave Lenses)
Contact lens
Refractive surgery - LASIK
Hypermetrolpia
Definition
‘Hypermetropia is that dioptric condition of
the eye in which with accommodation at rest
incident parallel rays come to a focus
posterior to the light sensitive layer of the
retina’
Hypermetropia
Types of Hypermetropia
Axial – Short eyeball Most common
Curvature Hypermetropia – Cornea Plana
Index – Old age, cortical cataract
Abnormal position of Lens – posterior
displacement of Lens
Hypermetropia
Manifest Hypermetropia
Facultative – That part of manifest hypermetropia
which can be overcome by accommodation
Absolute -That part of manifest hypermetropia which
can not be overcome by accommodation
Latent Hypermetropia – That portion of total
hypermetropia which can only be revealed under
complete cycloplegia
Total Hypermetropia – Latent + Manifest
Hypermetropia
Rarely exceeds 6-7 D
Have to accommodate both for distant and near –
over action of ciliary muscle – asthenopia- eye strain
Pain, burning sensation, feel dry, frequent blinking,
redness of eyes, headache
H/o recurrent stye, chalazia ,blepharitis
Convergent squint
In adults early commencement of presbyopia
Hypermetropia
Eye is small, AC shallow, Pupil small
Fundus – Small disc, pseudopapilloedema
Bright reflex
More prone for angle closure glaucoma
Hypermetropia
Treatment
Spectacle correction- convex lens
Contact Lens
Refractive surgery LASIK
Aphakia
Absence of crystalline lens (Surgical/Trauma)
Eye is highly hypermetropic
No accommodation
Vision counting finger close to face
Ocular Exam
Operation scar at upper limbus
Peripheral Iridectomy
Iridodonesis
Jet Black pupil
Aphakia
Treatment
Spectacle correction +10 D
Contact lens
IOL implanatation
Epikeratophakia
Aphakia
Disadvantages of spectacle correction
Image magnification of 30%
If opposite eye normal – Diplopia
Lack of physical coordination
Spherical aberration Pin Cushion Effect
Ring Scotoma– Jack in the box phenomenon
Reduced visual field
Cosmetic
Aphakia
Advantages of contact lens
Image magnification 6% Binocular vision
possible
Full field of vision
Disadvantage
Difficulty in wearing
Aphakia
Advantages of IOL
No image magnification
Full field of vision
No maintenance
Presbyopia
Receeding of near point of vision due
reduction in amplitude of accommodation
with age
Age related
With age lens becomes less plastic and lens
Capsule less elastic
Amplitude of accommodation gradually
diminishes with age
Presbyopia
Difficulty in near vision
Usually manifests at the age of 45 yrs
In hypermetrope it may occur early
Patients report when near point of vision has
receeded beyond comfortable working
distance
Treatment – convex lens for near vision
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is that condition of refraction in
which a point of light cannot be made to
produce a punctate image upon the retina by
any spherical correcting lens
Astigmatism
Types
Regular Astigmatism
Greatest and least curvature of cornea
are at right angles to each other
Irregular Astigmatism
Corneal surface is irregular and light is
refracted irregularly without any
symmetry
Astigmatism
Regular Astigmatism
With the rule –Vertical meridian is more
curved
Against the rule – Horizontal meridian is
more curved
Oblique – Principle meridians are not at
90ºor180º
Regular Astigmatism
Simple Astigmatism
- Simple myopic
- Simple hypermetropic
Compound Astigmatism
- Compound Myopic
- Compound Hypermetropic
Mixed Astigmatism
Astigmatism: Sturm conoid
Astigmatism
Aetiology
Regular Astigmatism
Congenital
Cataract surgery
Traumatic wound at limbus
Keratoconus
Subluxation of lens
Irregular Astigmatism
Corneal ulcer
Traumatic corneal scar
Astigmatism
Symptoms – Diminished vision
- Asthenopia (Eye Strain)
Treatment
-Spectacle correction with Cylindrical /
sphero cylindrical lens
-Contact lens
-Refractive surgery
Refractive Surgery
Factors affecting refraction of eye
Axial length
Corneal Curvature
Refractive Index of Lens
Refractive Surgery
Indication
- Job requirement
- Contact sports
- Cosmetic
Disadvantage
Permanent not reversible
Accuracy less
Refractive Surgery
Corneal Procedure
Radial Keratotomy
Intrastromal corneal Ring
PRK
LASEK
LASIK
Epikeratophakia
Keratophakia
Phakic IOL
Clear Lens extraction
Refractive Surgery
Radial Keratotomy
- Radial incisions are given in peripheral cornea
- Peripheral cornea becomes weak and bulges
forwards results flattening of central cornea
- Associated with complications
- Not done these days.
Refractive surgery
Refractive Surgery
Intra Corneal Ring
Intra corneal rings are placed in peripheral cornea
Ant surface of the cornea is lifted over the ring
Results in compensatory flattening of the central
cornea
Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Done for Myopia
Corneal epithelium is scrapped
Excimer Laser applied to ablate the
corneal stroma for desired level
Epithelium is allowed to heal on its own
Painful post op period
Refractive Surgery
Laser Subepithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)
18% alcohol is applied to cornea
Epithelial flap is cut
Laser ablation done
Epithelial Flap replaced
Refractive Surgery
Refractive Surgery
Laser in situ Kertaomileusis(LASIK)
Corneal Flap of 150 µ raised
Laser ablation done
Flap is replaced back
Painless, good results. Few complications
Refractive Surgery
Refractive Surgery
Epikeratophakia- Donor corneal button is
sutured over the anterior surface of cornea
Keratophakia – Donor corneal button is
placed in the stromal pocket of recipient
cornea
Done mainly for aphakic correction
Presently for those patients who cannot be
implanted with IOL
Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery
Keratophakia
Refractive surgery
Phakic Intraocular lenses
Anterior Chamber
Iris supported
Posterior Chamber
Indicated in myopia/ hypermetropia
Associated with complication like glaucoma,
cataract formation uveitis
Refractive Surgery