Nearsighted Or Farsighted? What It Really Means

Over 70% of the population in the UK use glasses or contact lenses to some degree, to assist our vision for everything from reading to sports activities. But what does it actually mean to be nearsighted or farsighted? What’s happening inside the eye, and how does it happen to us?

Our normal eye functions consist of vision occurring when light enters eye. The cornea and the lens refract this light to focus on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina then converts this light into electrical impulses and sends them to the brain. The brain then produces the thousands or even millions of images we see every day.

How do we become nearsighted or farsighted?

Problems arise when imperfections develop over time within the eye that prevent light from being focused perfectly on the retina. Hence a ‘refractive error’ is then occurring. The two most common refractive errors, myopia and hyperopia, otherwise known as near and far sightedness are determined by the way the eye is shaped.

Myopia
Myopia (short sightedness) happens when the cornea is too curved or the eyeball is too long, causing light to be focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia causes people to struggle focusing on far away objects, faces or particularly experience difficulty driving, but yet reading and other close up tasks are not affected.

Signs of Myopia
• Headaches
• Eyestrain
• Squinting
• Fatigue when driving
• Difficulty focusing on objects far away

Hyperopia
In contrast, Hyperopia, or far sightedness is less common with approximately 40 percent fewer cases than myopia. When an eyeball is too short, or the cornea isn’t curved enough, hyperopia is the result. This causes light to be focused behind the retina, with blurred vision for both the distance and close up.

Signs of Hyperopia
• Squinting to see things clearly
• Pain in and around the eye, especially after reading or using a computer
• Feeling that your eyes feel dazed and tired

Hyperopia and myopia can usually be identified during a full, professional eye examination by an optometrist.

Watch Out for Signs
If you have frequent headaches or eyestrain, or difficulty focusing you may have a problem with your vision. If you already have glasses or contact lenses and experience further symptoms, you may just need an eye test and updated prescription. Our advice is don’t delay, book an eye examination and ensure you’re driving safely and reading comfortably. Today, there are many options, from hundreds of frame styles and many types of contact lenses, through to laser surgery.  It’s never been easier to take care of your vision.