What type of lens power is indicated for a patient with myopia?

For a patient with myopia, or nearsightedness, the condition means they have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. This refractive error occurs because light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina. To correct this condition, lenses with a specific power are required.

The type of lens used for myopia is minus sphere power. These lenses have a concave shape that diverges light rays before they enter the eye, helping to adjust the focal point back onto the retina. The strength of these concave lenses is measured in diopters, and they are typically represented with a negative sign, indicating their diverging power.

In contrast, plus sphere power lenses are used for hyperopia, or farsightedness, while flat sphere power does not apply directly to standard refractive errors. A spherical correction power is a more general term and does not specify directionality in corrective lenses. Therefore, minus sphere power is the appropriate choice for myopic patients, as it effectively addresses their specific visual needs.