Refractive Errors

What are uncorrected refractive errors?

Uncorrected refractive error is the most common cause of vision impairment and the second leading cause of blindness in the world.

It affects 671 million people worldwide

161 million people live with distance vision impairment or blindness

510 million people live with near vision impairment

Refractive errors are eye disorders caused by irregularity in the shape of the eye. This makes it difficult for the eyes to focus images clearly and visions can become blurred and impaired. Refractive errors include myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.

How are refractive errors treated?

Eye exam to determine how badly vision is affected, where the patient reads letters or symbols from a chart.
A diagnosis is made based on the exam results.
Refractive error correction is prescribed, such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery in some extreme cases.

Why invest in correcting refractive errors?

These eye disorders are particularly problematic in developing countries, where those affected may not be able to afford vision exams or glasses to help improve their vision. Access to eye care is an additional challenge for those living in rural areas. In the areas where OPC works, the majority of ophthalmologists and optometrists are based in cities, leaving a shortage of trained eye care professionals working in the more rural areas.

Reducing and correcting refractive errors are an essential part of providing sustainable comprehensive eye care services. Together with its partners and donors, OPC ensures that uncorrected refractive error is addressed in its comprehensive eye care programs throughout Francophone Africa.

Examples of refractive errors:

Presbyopia

Astigmatism

Hyperopia

Myopia

Testimonials

My name is Habibé. Before being operated, I was suffering from tearing every day and all day long. My eyes were tickling and, because of this disease, I was ashamed to stay with my friends. I did not understand what was happening. I tried a traditional treatment but in vain. Now I am happy as I feel cured. I thank the team that came to operate me in our village.

My name is Idriss Gebal Ali. I am from the Ouaddaï region, eastern Chad. I got the first symptoms of trachoma on my left eye, four years ago. More precisely, I had watery, itching eyes and kept rubbing them. I was informed at the local market by a community relay that an outreach of trichiasis surgery was being implemented. The relay brought me to the health center. Then, I was operated in April 2017. I did not suffer from any complication or recurrence after the operation. My brother was also operated on his right eye. He got good outcomes after the surgery as well. Nevertheless, my wife still suffers from an ocular problem : I will bring her to the health center in order to treat her.

My name is Abou K. I come from southern Chad, where I grow crops. It has been more than 5 years that both my eyes are painful, crying and reddish, and it’s worst for my right eye. In my family, nobody has that problem. This disease prevents me from working properly on the field. The health agents told me that I was suffering from trachomatous trichiasis, that’s why they offered to get both of my eyes operated. As they assured me that the pain would disappear, I accepted the surgery.

My name is Acil T. I had trachomafor years. At the beginning I was thinking of a family curse, as everybody had this disease and that we would all become blind. We couldn’t work as much as when we were not affected by the disease. As we live in a very remote village, far from any health center, a medical team came to operate us and we are very happy about that. Now, I know that trachoma is a curable disease and I want to thank the team that gave us a new chance in life by enabling our family to get back to the field and get our crops.

My name is Halimé B. The surgeons have operated my two eyes. Before that, I was thinking that there was no hope for me and that I would become blind. I was really hopeless. Since last week's operation, my whole family is smiling again. I thank everybody that took part in the process.

My name is Halimé A. and I am from southern Chad. I felt my eyes tickling 7 years ago. After the first symptoms, it was difficult for me to prepare the boule (millet-based paste) for my children and my husband. At the beginning, I was really afraid to get operated. But as my husband was planning to get operated too, he advised me to do it as well. Since last week, I can take care of the domestic duties, such as sorting millet or groundnuts . I am happy again!

My name is Haroun T. I have been operated from the right eye last week. I have been suffering for the past 10 years. I was feeling a constant tingling which was quite inconvenient. I didn’t know that a treatment existed to get rid of this disease. Until last year, I was hindered and annoyed to do my field activities. Since I have been operated, my sight is good and I feel a huge relief, like the rest of my family. Indeed, five of us had trachoma. The whole family was operated on the same day.

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Programs (90%)

Fundraising costs (8%)

Operating costs (2%)

At the Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC), we chose to be a “glass house” to explain where every dollar goes. We owe it to you. Of every dollar we spend, 95 cents goes to preserving and restoring eyesight of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Refractive Errors

What are uncorrected refractive errors?

How are refractive errors treated?

Why invest in correcting refractive errors?