Have you been increasing the font size on your phone or holding books farther away to read clearly? If you constantly need to zoom in on your phone screen, the issue might not be your device—it could be your eyes.
Many people have heard the terms “nearsighted” and “farsighted,” but what do they really mean? Let’s break it down so you can understand the differences and figure out which one might apply to you.
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The Basics of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
Both nearsightedness and farsightedness originate from the same source: the shape of your eye and cornea. To understand why you might have trouble seeing near or far, it helps to understand how the eye works.
Your eye has a clear, curved front layer called the cornea, which helps focus light. The retina, located at the back of your eye, processes this light and sends it to your brain. Ideally, light entering your eye is perfectly aimed to hit the retina, giving you clear vision. However, when the light doesn’t land exactly on the retina, vision issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness occur.
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What Is Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, happens when light focuses in front of the retina rather than on it. This usually occurs if your eye is longer than normal or if your cornea has too much curvature.
If you’re nearsighted, objects up close might look clear, but things at a distance appear blurry. For example, you might struggle to read road signs or see a board in a classroom.
Laser eye surgery is often used to correct nearsightedness by reshaping the cornea. By flattening an overly curved cornea, it’s possible to adjust how light is refracted and restore clear vision.
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What Is Farsightedness?
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, happens when light focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it. This can occur if your eye is shorter than average or if your cornea is too flat.
If you’re farsighted, you can usually see distant objects clearly but have difficulty with nearby items. For example, reading a book right in front of you might feel like a challenge.
Farsightedness is much less common than nearsightedness. About 10% of the population is farsighted, whereas more than 40% is nearsighted.
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Solutions for Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
While good nutrition, like eating carrots or spinach, is great for overall eye health, it won’t cure vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Glasses or contact lenses are the easiest and most common solutions.
Glasses not only improve your vision—they’ve become a fashion statement. Whether you need them or just like the look, trendy frames are widely available. To get the best results, visit an eye doctor for an exam and choose glasses from their in-house frame shop.
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Clear Vision Made Simple
In the end, both nearsightedness and farsightedness are caused by the shape and structure of the eye. These are common issues, but the good news is they’re easy to correct with the right lenses.
If you’re noticing trouble with your vision, schedule an eye exam to find out exactly what’s going on. Seeing clearly doesn’t just improve your day—it makes life a little brighter too.