A method for treating refractive eye abnormalities, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, by shifting the spectral distribution of incident light is described. Optical filters or tints are provided on eyeglasses, contact lenses, intra-ocular implants, or at ambient light sources to shift the spectral distribution of light entering the eye being treated. Ambient light sources emitting at specified spectral distribution or wavelength range can also be used. In this way, the average spectral distribution of visible light incident to an eye is controlled to treat refractive eye abnormalities. Changes in the eyeball shape and focus resulting from an eye's response to the spectral distribution of light are prevented, mitigated, halted, or even reversed. The visible spectral content is shifted to shorter or longer wavelengths over an entire field of view detected by the retina to treat myopia and hyperopia respectively. To correct for astigmatism, the spectral distribution of light is shifted within selected areas of a retina field of view corresponding to an abnormal power.