Differences between myopia and hypermetropia explained.
Nearsightedness (Myopia) and farsightedness (Hyperopia) are common vision issues that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions are caused by abnormalities in the shape of the eyeball or cornea, preventing light from focusing correctly on the retina.
Causes
Nearsightedness is typically caused by an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina. On the other hand, farsightedness is caused by an eyeball that is too short or a cornea that is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina.
Both conditions can be inherited but can also develop or worsen due to environmental factors such as extensive close work or certain health issues like diabetes (for myopia).
Symptoms
Symptoms of myopia include blurry vision when viewing distant objects, while near vision remains clear. Additional symptoms may include eye strain, headaches, tired eyes after prolonged reading or screen use, and light sensitivity.
Farsightedness, on the other hand, causes blurry vision for close objects, sometimes blurry at all distances in severe cases. Symptoms also include eye strain, headaches, squinting, and difficulty focusing on near tasks. Both conditions can cause eye discomfort, headaches, and visual fatigue.
How to Tell if You Have Either Condition
If you consistently experience blurry vision at either distance (myopia) or near (hyperopia), or if you have difficulty seeing road signs clearly (myopia) or trouble reading small print without squinting or eye strain (hyperopia), it's essential to schedule an eye exam.
An eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist measures visual acuity and refractive error to diagnose and distinguish between myopia and hyperopia.
Treatments
Primary treatments for both conditions include eyeglasses and contact lenses, which correct the focusing error by adjusting the path of light onto the retina.
For children and teens with myopia, specialized approaches such as multifocal contact lenses, multifocal eyeglasses, orthokeratology (overnight corneal reshaping lenses), peripheral defocus lenses, and low-dose atropine eye drops can be used to slow progression.
Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, can alter the cornea's shape to correct focusing errors in suitable cases. However, laser surgery for high farsightedness is currently under investigation.
Co-occurring Conditions
People can sometimes be both nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other or have mixed conditions influenced by astigmatism or age-related changes, causing more complex visual symptoms such as eye strain or difficulty with depth perception.
Prevalence and Genetics
In the United States, nearsightedness, which usually develops in childhood, is quite common. Eye doctors can also treat adults with refractive surgery, such as laser surgery or lens exchange.
Both nearsightedness and farsightedness can be inherited. Children of a biological parent with nearsightedness are more likely to develop the condition.
Living with Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
People with nearsightedness may only need to wear glasses for certain activities, while those with a higher prescription may need to always wear glasses. Biological parents may pass on nearsightedness and farsightedness to their children.
Reading glasses are typically for people with farsighted vision. Causes of farsightedness include a person's eyeball growing too short from front to back, the cornea being too flat, and the eye lens being unusually shaped.
If blurry vision or related symptoms persist, a professional eye exam is essential to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Eyesurgeries like LASIK can be used to correct the focusing errors in some cases of nearsightedness (myopia), offering a potential long-term solution for those who have difficulty with distance vision.
Science in the field of health-and-wellness continues to explore treatments for high farsightedness, as laser surgery for farsightedness (hyperopia) is currently under investigation.
