Nearsighted vs Farsighted: What's The Difference?

The human eye is a remarkable organ, capable of transforming light waves into the vivid world we perceive. To understand common vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness, it's helpful to first grasp how our eyes work.

Our eyes function as sophisticated cameras, with the cornea and lens working together to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. This light-sensitive layer contains specialized cells that convert light into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. Our brain interprets these signals as the images we see.

Unfortunately, this intricate process doesn't always function perfectly. Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia), occur when the eye cannot focus light accurately onto the retina. In simple terms, nearsighted individuals can see nearby objects clearly but struggle with distant vision, while farsighted people have the opposite experience — clear distant vision but difficulty focusing on close objects.

These common vision problems affect a significant portion of the population, with nearly 30% of Americans experiencing nearsightedness and an astounding 60% dealing with farsightedness. Both conditions can significantly impact daily life — from reading a book to recognizing traffic signs down the road.

In this guide, we'll look deeper into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for these common eyesight issues, helping you distinguish nearsighted vs farsighted vision.

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What’s the Difference Between Nearsighted and Farsighted?

Determining whether you're nearsighted or farsighted can be done with a simple self-assessment. While not a substitute for a professional eye exam, it can give you a good indication of your vision status.

First, give your eyes a break by looking away from screens or closing your eyes for a few minutes. Once your eyes have sufficiently rested, pick up a book or look at your smartphone screen and try to read the text.

If the words appear blurry or you develop a headache after reading for a short time, you may be farsighted.

Similarly, test your far vision by locating an object about 10 feet away — such as a street sign or a poster on a wall — and try to read the text or distinguish details on the object. If you struggle to see these distant objects clearly, you might be nearsighted.

In the following paragraphs, we’ll provide deeper explanations of each to further explore the difference between nearsighted and farsighted vision.

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What it Means to Be Nearsighted

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is caused by an abnormal shape or size of the eye. You may be born with abnormally shaped eyes, or they may change part of the natural aging process. Either way, it is this irregular shape that makes it difficult for the retina to focus light.

Signs and Symptoms

Headaches
Eye fatigue
Blurred vision when focusing on distant objects
Squinting

Treatments

LASIK

LASIK is the most common refractive surgery for myopia. This procedure uses state-of-the-art laser technology to reshape the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina. At Specialty Eye Institute, we use the IntraLase technique to create the corneal flap, which is 100% more accurate than traditional mechanical methods.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

PRK is another laser-based procedure similar to LASIK. It reshapes the middle layer of the cornea, flattening it to correct the focus of light on the retina.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

For patients with higher degrees of myopia, we offer an ICL procedure. This involves inserting a permanent lens between the eye's natural lens and the iris. The ICL works by refracting light to ensure proper focus on the retina, providing clear vision without removing any corneal tissue.

What it Means To Be Farsighted

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, happens when either the eyeball is too short or its natural lens doesn’t have enough curvature to focus properly on light. Unlike normal vision, where light focuses in front of the retina or directly on its surface, farsighted vision occurs when the light focuses behind the retina.

Signs and Symptoms

Difficulty focusing on close objects
Headaches
Eye strain
Blurred vision
Eye fatigue when performing tasks like reading up close

Treatments

LASIK

LASIK is also highly effective for treating hyperopia caused by a misshapen cornea. During this procedure, our skilled surgeons use precise laser technology to reshape the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina instead of behind it. Many patients who undergo LASIK for farsightedness experience significantly improved vision and often no longer need glasses or contacts for daily activities.

Refractive Lens Exchange

For patients who may not be suitable candidates for LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) surgery is an excellent alternative. This procedure involves replacing the eye's natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to provide clearer, sharper eyesight and reduce reliance on glasses and contacts. RLE is a versatile option for many types of patients but is particularly beneficial for those with age-related farsightedness or those with extreme refractive vision issues

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Is Astigmatism the Same Thing?

Astigmatism is another common vision problem caused by an irregular curve in either the lens of the eye or the cornea. This irregularity affects how light is refracted onto the retina, similar to nearsightedness and farsightedness, but with some key differences.

Unlike nearsightedness and farsightedness, which cause blurred vision at specific distances, astigmatism can lead to a more general blurriness of vision at all distances. While nearsightedness and farsightedness are typically congenital or develop over time, astigmatism can also result from eye injuries or certain types of eye surgeries.

Discover Your Treatment Options for Myopia and Hyperopia

Now that we’ve identified the difference between nearsighted and farsighted vision and looked at treatment plans for each, discover which option is best for you.

If you're experiencing blurred vision — whether at specific distances or more generally — it's important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. The team at Specialty Eye Institute can determine whether you're dealing with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or a combination of these conditions, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your unique eyes.

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