What Does It Mean to Be Nearsighted or Farsighted?

Your eye doctor tells you that you need glasses because you are nearsighted or farsighted, but what do those terms mean? Is one condition more common than the other? Read on to learn what nearsighted vs. farsighted means, the causes of these eye conditions and the major difference between them.

What Does Nearsighted vs. Farsighted Mean?

Those who are nearsighted or farsighted have issues with how light entering the eye focuses. In a person with perfect vision, the cornea and lens focus light onto the eye’s retina and the eye sees a clear image.

However, when someone is nearsighted, this image gets formed in front of the retina rather than on it. You can see things right in front of you, but things farther away appear blurry. Those with nearsightedness, also called myopia, may be able to read a book or write without needing glasses or contacts, but they cannot drive, watch a movie or see people’s faces when they are not right in front of them.

Someone who is farsighted focuses the light in their eye behind the retina. They can see things that are far away but not up close. They may have difficulty reading or working on a computer without glasses or contacts. This condition, also referred to as hyperopia, is much less common than nearsightedness.

How Do You Know If You’re Nearsighted or Farsighted: Eye Structure

Causes of being nearsighted and farsighted include a difference in eye structure. Those who are nearsighted may have a long eyeball, or the cornea may be too curved. For those with farsightedness, the opposite occurs. The eyeball may be too short, or the cornea doesn’t curve enough.

Kids can grow out of being farsighted. As they grow, their eyeballs can lengthen, and the condition will no longer affect them. This is not generally the case with nearsightedness, however. While it is often diagnosed in children, it continues to impact them into adulthood.

What Are the Symptoms of Being Nearsighted or Farsighted?

Though these refractive light conditions are different, they share many of the same symptoms, which include:

• Headaches
• Eyestrain
• Blurred vision
• Seeing halos on light sources

If you begin to have these symptoms often, you may want to get your eyes checked.

How Do You Treat Nearsightedness or Farsightedness?

The solution for people who are nearsighted or farsighted is the same — getting contact lenses or glasses that help correct the way the light gets refracted in your eye. For adults, getting laser eye surgery can also be a long-term solution to these problems.

Of course, preventative care never hurts when it comes to your eyes. See your eye doctor regularly to detect changes in your eyes and ensure you avoid any long-term problems. You can also consider Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals, which can enhance your ocular health. Our doctor-recommended products are pure and manufactured to high standards for quality. Contact us today to place your order or talk to an expert by calling 1-844-PRN-4YOU or getting in touch with us online.

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