What is the most common refractive error in vision?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is the most prevalent refractive error. In this condition, light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina, leading to difficulty seeing distant objects clearly while closer objects remain in focus. The rise in myopia cases in recent years has been attributed to several factors, including genetic predisposition and extensive near work, such as screen time and reading.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is also a refractive error but typically occurs less frequently than myopia. Nystagmus, which is an involuntary eye movement, and strabismus, characterized by misalignment of the eyes, are not refractive errors. Instead, they refer to other visual conditions that do not directly pertain to the eye's focusing ability. Thus, understanding the nature and implications of myopia helps clarify why it stands out as the most common refractive error in vision.