Nearsighted vs Farsighted Vision

While both conditions are common, you may feel a little confused when your optometrist says that you are either nearsighted or farsighted. This is easy to understand when you have the right information. At Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville, TN, our team works with patients every day to help them understand the condition of their vision and the health of their eyes.

The Difference

The bottom line is that difference between farsighted people and nearsighted people in optometry is the point where they can focus on an object. For nearsighted people, close-up objects are easier to see in focus. The opposite is true for farsighted people, who see distant objects more clearly. The medical terms for these conditions are myopia (nearsighted) and hyperopia (farsighted). It is important to understand that these are not eye diseases. Rather they are refractive errors. In other words, there are slight abnormalities that affect how light hits the retina. When light does not hit the retina correctly, it can make the image appear blurry.

Signs to Look For

Both conditions have similar signs to watch out for. When you experience these symptoms, it is time to see our optometrist.

• Frequent headaches
• Squinting
• Eyestrain
• Tired eyes or eye fatigue

Good News

Both conditions are easily corrected with eyeglasses or contacts. Another common condition is astigmatism which causes objects to appear blurry regardless of the distance. This, too, can be corrected with the right lens. Children with farsightedness are often born with the condition. Those who are nearsighted develop the condition during childhood. It will usually worsen when they are teens but stabilize when they reach adulthood.

Eye Doctor in Clarksville

If you believe you nearsighted or farsighted and have not been diagnosed as such, the optometry professionals at Sites Vision Clinic are ready to assist you. Our eye doctor will evaluate your vision to determine whether or not you are nearsighted or farsighted and provide treatment accordingly. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (931) 614-0028.