What is the term for an unequal refractive condition affecting both eyes?

Anisometropia refers to a condition where there is a significant difference in the refractive power between the two eyes, leading to unequal vision. In other words, one eye may be more nearsighted, farsighted, or have a different prescription altogether than the other eye. This can result in various visual challenges, such as difficulty focusing, binocular vision issues, or even discomfort.

Understanding anisometropia is important for opticians because it can influence how corrective lenses are prescribed and fitted. The presence of anisometropia often requires special considerations during the lens design process to ensure that both eyes work together effectively for clear vision, maintaining comfort and proper eye alignment.

On the other hand, hypermetropia (farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness) describe specific types of refractive errors that affect vision but do not inherently refer to a condition impacting both eyes differently. Asthenopia, which refers to eye strain or discomfort, can arise from various causes, including the effects of anisometropia, but does not specifically denote a refractive condition affecting both eyes.