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Nearsightedness vs Farsightedness: Causes, Signs & Tests

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a condition where objects that are far away appear blurry, while objects that are closer appear clearer. This occurs because the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, which causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a condition where objects that are up close appear blurry, while objects that are far away appear clear. This occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat, which causes light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it.

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Know the Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients Dealing with Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with nearsightedness and farsightedness:

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

  • Blurry vision when looking at distant objects, such as road signs or the whiteboard in a classroom.
  • Difficulty seeing objects that are far away, such as when watching a movie or a sports event.
  • Squinting to try and see distant objects more clearly.
  • Eyestrain or headaches, particularly when reading or doing close-up work for an extended period.
  • A feeling of fatigue or exhaustion after prolonged periods of reading or screen time.
  • A tendency to move closer to objects, such as books or computer screens, in order to see them clearly.

Symptoms of Farsightedness

  • Blurry vision when looking at close-up objects, such as reading material or a computer screen.
  • Difficulty seeing objects up close, which can make tasks such as reading, writing, or working on a computer challenging.
  • Eyestrain or headaches, particularly when doing close-up work for an extended period.
  • A tendency to hold reading material or screens at arm's length in order to see them clearly.
  • A feeling of fatigue or exhaustion after prolonged periods of reading or screen time.
  • Squinting or closing one eye in order to see more clearly.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to schedule an appointment with your optometrist as soon as possible. A comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose nearsightedness or farsightedness and allow our optometrist to prescribe corrective lenses or other treatment options to help improve your vision.

From Genetics to Lifestyle: Uncovering the Root Causes of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness with Our Trusted Optometrist

From Genetics to Lifestyle: Uncovering the Root Causes of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness with Our Trusted Optometrist

While these two conditions are different, they both involve an issue with the way light is refracted in the eye. Here are some of the common causes of nearsightedness and farsightedness:

Common Causes of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Genetics: Both nearsightedness and farsightedness can run in families, and individuals with a family history of the condition are at a higher risk of developing it.

Eye shape: An elongated or shorter eyeball, or a cornea that is too curved or flat, can cause light to focus improperly and result in vision problems.

Specific Causes of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Environmental factors: Spending excessive time doing close-up work, such as reading or using a computer, can put a strain on the eyes and increase the likelihood of developing nearsightedness.

Age: As we age, the lens in our eye can become less flexible, making it more difficult to focus on close-up objects in the case of farsightedness.

Health conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, can increase the risk of developing nearsightedness, while conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis can increase the risk of developing farsightedness.

It is important to note that while these factors can increase the likelihood of developing nearsightedness or farsightedness, they do not necessarily guarantee that someone will develop the condition. Some people may develop these refractive errors for no apparent reason, while others may avoid them despite having several risk factors.

Diagnosis of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Here is how we diagnose nearsightedness and farsightedness at Amplify EyeCare:

Symptoms: The first step in diagnosing nearsightedness or farsightedness is to identify the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. These may include blurry vision, difficulty seeing objects at a distance or up close, headaches, or eye strain.

Visual acuity test: One of the most common diagnostic tools used to diagnose nearsightedness and farsightedness is the visual acuity test. During this test, the patient reads a series of letters or numbers on an eye chart from a set distance away. This test can help determine the clarity of the patient's vision at different distances.

Refraction test: Another important diagnostic tool for nearsightedness and farsightedness is the refraction test. During this test, we use a special instrument called a phoropter to measure the patient's refractive error. This involves asking the patient to look through a series of lenses while reading an eye chart to determine the lens strength needed to correct their vision.

Eye exam: In addition to these tests, we will also perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for any other eye conditions or underlying health issues that may be contributing to the patient's symptoms.

Family history: It is also important to ask the patient about their family history of eye conditions, as a family history of nearsightedness or farsightedness can increase the patient's risk of developing these conditions.

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Nearsightedness and Farsightedness Treatment: How Our Optometrist Can Help You See Clearly

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness Treatment: How Our Optometrist Can Help You See Clearly

Prescription glasses or contact lenses

One of the most common treatments for nearsightedness and farsightedness is the use of prescription glasses or contact lenses. These corrective lenses work by changing the way that light enters the eye, helping to improve your vision. You may need to visit our optometrist periodically to have your prescription updated as your refractive error changes over time.

Refractive surgery

In some cases, refractive surgery may be an option for patients with nearsightedness or farsightedness. This involves using lasers to reshape the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, to correct the patient's refractive error. Some common types of refractive surgery include LASIK, PRK, and SMILE. However, it is important to note that refractive surgery may not be appropriate for all patients and can come with certain risks and side effects. Learn more about LASIK.

Orthokeratology

Another option for treating nearsightedness is orthokeratology, which involves the use of specialized contact lenses that are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This can help improve your vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. However, it is important to note that orthokeratology may not be effective for all patients and can come with certain risks and side effects. Learn more about orthokeratology.

Myopia Management

When it comes to children with nearsightedness, it's crucial to slow down the progression of their myopia in order to maintain their eye health. This is where myopia management, also known as myopia control, comes into play. Various techniques can be employed for this purpose, including atropine eye drops, specialty contact lenses such as MiSight, and customized hard lenses worn at night known as OrthoK, CRT lenses, or orthokeratology. Learn more about myopia management.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to these treatments, there are also some lifestyle changes that you can make to help manage your nearsightedness or farsightedness. For example, you can take frequent breaks when using digital devices, spending time outdoors, wear protective eyewear when playing sports, and practice good eye hygiene to help reduce the risk of developing other eye conditions.

It is worth noting that the type of treatment that is recommended for a patient with nearsightedness or farsightedness will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of their refractive error, their age, their overall health, and their personal preferences. Our optometrist will work with the patient to develop a customized treatment plan that takes all of these factors into account.

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Common Questions

Neither nearsightedness or farsightedness is worse than the other; they are simply different types of refractive errors. Nearsighted people have difficulty seeing objects far away, while farsighted people have difficulty seeing objects up close. The severity of each condition can vary, and each can cause its own set of vision problems.
Yes, it is possible to have both nearsightedness and farsightedness, although it is relatively rare. This condition is known as anisometropia. Which is when a person is nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other. Another condition that may cause blurry or distorted vision, both up close and far away, is called Astigmatism. Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your eye's cornea. With astigmatism your vision is blurry at all distances, both near and far.
If you are farsighted, you may experience difficulty reading, eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision at near distances. It can also cause difficulty with tasks such as sewing, reading, or working on a computer. Our eye doctor can diagnose farsightedness through a comprehensive eye exam, which includes a visual acuity test, a refraction test, and an examination of the internal structures of the eye.
If your glasses correct your vision for seeing objects far away, then you are likely nearsighted, as these glasses contain a concave lens that helps to correct the refraction of light in the eye. If your glasses correct your vision for seeing objects up close, then you are likely farsighted, as these glasses contain a convex lens that helps to focus light onto the retina. Another way to tell if you are nearsighted or farsighted is your prescription for glasses. A minus sign before the number indicates that you are nearsighted, while a plus sign means that you're farsighted.
Not all farsighted people need to wear glasses, but they may choose to do so to improve their vision for near tasks or to reduce eye strain or headaches. Some farsighted people may only need glasses for certain activities, such as reading or using a computer.
If you are nearsighted and experience difficulty seeing objects far away, wearing glasses or contact lenses can improve your vision and reduce eyestrain and headaches. Our eye doctor can prescribe the correct prescription for your vision needs. For children and teens who are nearsighted it is extremely important to start slowing down the progression of your nearsightedness. Our eye doctor will speak with you about the different options to slow down progression of nearsightedness, called myopia management or myopia control.
Farsightedness is typically measured in positive diopters, which represent the strength of the convex lens needed to correct the refractive error. The higher the diopter number, the stronger the lens needed to correct the vision. For example, a person with a farsighted prescription of +2.00 would need a stronger lens than someone with a prescription of +1.00.
Farsightedness occurs when the eyeball is shorter than normal or the cornea is not curved enough, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. It can also occur as a result of age-related changes in the lens of the eye, which can become less flexible and lose the ability to change shape easily to focus on near objects.
There are no proven natural remedies to reduce farsightedness. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep, can help to maintain overall eye health. Additionally, practicing good eye habits such as taking frequent breaks when reading or using a computer can reduce eyestrain.
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Improve Your Vision Today: Schedule an Eye Exam for Farsightedness or Nearsightedness

Are you struggling to see things clearly either up close or far away? Don't let blurry vision hold you back! It's time to take action and see our eye doctor for an eye exam.

At Amplify EyeCare, we are passionate about helping patients with farsightedness or nearsightedness to see clearly and live their best lives. Our experienced optometrists will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the best course of action to improve your vision. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam, you can reach out to your nearest Amplify EyeCare practice either via a call or in-person visit. Our team of eye care professionals is ready and equipped to provide you with the care you need.

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