Nearsightedness vs Farsightedness: What’s the Difference?

Did you know that the number of nearsighted people in the US is about 10 Million?

You might be wondering if you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. There’s a difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness. What kind of vision correction do you need.

If you’re tired of the eyestrain, headaches, and squinting brought on by poor vision, visit your eye doctor. You have options in correcting your eyesight.

First, find out if you’re more nearsighted or farsighted. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness, or myopia, the meaning of myopia is a refractive error in which distant objects appear blurry. Close objects may appear clear, but objects far away are blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is long or when the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, has too much curvature.

This causes light rays to bend or refract, too, when they enter the eye. As a result, the image of a distant object in front of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, appears blurry.

What Is Farsightedness?

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, the meaning of hyperopia is when objects in the distance appear clear, but objects up close appear blurry. People with myopia can see clearly at a distance if they wear corrective lenses or contact lenses. People with hyperopia can see clearly up close if they wear corrective lenses or contact lenses.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

Typically, myopia develops in childhood and continues to progress through adolescence. People with myopia often have difficulties seeing objects far away, such as the chalkboard or television screen. They may also squint or frown when trying to focus on distant objects.

Symptoms of Farsightedness

Farsightedness occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature. Like myopia, hyperopia often develops in childhood. People with hyperopia may have difficulty reading or doing other close-up work. They may also experience headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue.

How Is Nearsightedness Treated?

There are several ways to treat nearsightedness, including corrective lenses and refractive surgery. Corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, help to refocus light on the retina. Refractive surgery, such as lasik eye surgery, permanently changes the shape of the eye to allow light to focus properly on the retina.

How Is Farsightedness Treated?

Hyperopia can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Refractive surgery changes the shape of the cornea so that light rays are focused correctly on the retina.

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness: What You Need to Know

Nearsightedness and farsightedness are both common refractive errors of the eye. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is when objects up close are clear, but objects in the distance appear blurry. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is when distant objects are clear, but close objects appear blurry.

People with severe myopia or hyperopia may need to wear corrective lenses, or eyeglasses, in order to see clearly.

If you want to know more and read about additional vision conditions not listed on this page, you can visit our blog and discover more useful information that will put your mind at ease.