What is the term that describes an uncorrected refractive error?

The term that describes an uncorrected refractive error is "Ametropia." This term encompasses the various types of refractive errors that occur when the eye does not focus light perfectly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision without corrective lenses or surgery. Ametropia includes several specific conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, all of which can cause different types of vision impairment.

In contrast, myopia refers specifically to the condition where nearby objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. Hyperopia similarly addresses a specific issue where distant objects can be seen more clearly than those nearby. Astigmatism describes an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, contributing to distorted vision at any distance. While all these conditions fall under the umbrella of ametropia, the latter is the broader term used to refer to any uncorrected refractive error.