
A diopter is the unit of measurement used to describe the optical power of a lens, indicating how much a lens can bend (refract) light to focus it properly on the retina. This measurement is essential for correcting refractive errors in vision, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Diopters are measured in increments that reflect how much correction a person’s vision requires. For example, a negative diopter value signifies a prescription for myopia, where distant objects appear blurry, while a positive diopter value is used for hyperopia, where close objects are difficult to focus on. Diopters can be fractional, such as -1.25 or +2.50, andare commonly found on eyeglass prescriptions, contact lens prescriptions, or the power of intraocular lenses used during cataract surgery. Understanding your diopter value is crucial for maintaining optimal vision health, as it ensures that corrective lenses are accurately tailored to your specific refractive error.
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