Near-Sighted vs Far-Sighted

Nearsighted vs Farsighted Vision

If your vision is normal, light focuses directly onto the retina instead of in front of it or behind it, and you can clearly see objects and words clearly from both near and far distances. However, many people have difficulty seeing things either near or far away, and they may be diagnosed as being either nearsighted or farsighted. So, what is the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness? Read on to learn more about what makes each of these vision issues unique.

Nearsighted (Myopia)

If your eye doctor determines that you're nearsighted, it means that you have blurred vision when an image is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This typically occurs because the actual length of your eye is greater than the optical length. The cornea may be curved too dramatically, resulting in warped or blurry vision. Many children and teenagers experience nearsightedness at a young age, and it can grow worse over time. The result is that you'll probably need to get constantly updated prescriptions for your glasses or contact lenses to help you see clearly. In a nutshell, people with nearsightedness see objects that are close to them clearly, while anything off into the distance is blurred.

Farsighted (Hyperopia)

For people with farsightedness, the image is focused behind the retina instead of focusing directly on it. This can often be caused when the eyeball is too small, or the focusing power of your eye is simply too weak. It could also be due to the cornea having excessive curvature. Many patients are farsighted from birth, but it's not very noticeable in young children. In fact, some people may even outgrow the condition. When you're farsighted, you see objects that are far away very clearly, but objects that are near appear blurry. Some people with farsightedness experience headaches since the eyes have trouble focusing on objects that are further away. You may also become frustrated whenever you have difficulty seeing or due to constant eye strain.

Farsighted & Nearsighted Facts

Here are some important facts to remember regarding nearsighted vs. farsighted and what they mean for you:

• If your degree of farsightedness is fairly mild, you may not need glasses right away. Over time, if the condition gets worse, your eye doctor can determine the right prescription and type of lens to help improve your vision.
• If you're required to see close-up details at work, being farsighted can be more difficult to deal with. Those who need to look at objects far away will have an easier time if they're farsighted vs. nearsighted.
• People who drive often should definitely get their eyes examined so that it's easier to see and safer to be on the road. Driving at night or looking for street signs can be difficult if you have a vision problem.
• Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism, it's important to have your eyes examined so you can get eyeglasses or contacts. The clearer your vision is, the happier and healthier you'll be.