Refractive errors in children

Abstract

When the eye fails to perfectly focus a light beam from an element onto the retinal surface, refractive error occurs. The individual's perception of the resultant image is fuzzy, and refraction correction is required to see correctly. Hypermetropia or hyperopia, sometimes known as "Long or Far-sightedness," presbyopia, and astigmatism are all examples of refractive insufficiency. Children’s vision is important for their development since it allows them to interact with their surroundings. Preschool children's eyesight is critical since their sensory systems are still developing and they are at risk of acquiring Amblyopia or Anisometropia. Refraction errors are also risk factors for a variety of ocular disorders. Uncorrected refraction errors are a common cause of vision impairment and can lead to lost productivity. Refractive error, along with cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, and infantile blindness, has been highlighted as a vision disease for which early detection and treatment will result in significant cost savings and socioeconomic growth. Uncorrected Refractive Error affects around 150 million people globally, with 8 million of them effectively blind.