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Nearsighted vs Farsighted

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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4 Common Eye Problems & How to Prevent Them

how to avoid common eye problemsFor most of us, sight is the most important and helpful sense we have. It allows us to navigate the world around us, so we should do everything we can to maintain healthy eyesight and prevent common eye problems. Most vision problems happen with age, but many eye issues are minor and may be temporary. However, there are some more serious eye problems that can cause damage to the eyes, and sometimes a permanent loss of vision. We have compiled a list of common eye problems that can be prevented.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be extremely uncomfortable and may cause impaired vision. Symptoms include:

  • Red eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Scratchy or watery eyes
  • Blurred vision

You may also feel like there is something in your eye. The reason you have dry eyes is due to a lack of tears, which are necessary to keep your eyes healthy and infection-free. A decrease in tear production may be caused by aging, certain medications, or medical procedures — which are all usually unavoidable.

You can treat this type of common eye problem with warm compresses to the eyelids, washing your eyelids with baby shampoo, or giving your eyelids a light massage. Prevent tear evaporation by limiting exposure to wind, smoke, and dry air. Protect your eyes with sunglasses or goggles. Eye drops can also be helpful, such as vitamin A and cyclosporine drops.

Reading

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which is key to healthy vision. This eye problem is usually caused by high pressure in the eye(s). Over time, glaucoma can lead to blindness, which can’t be reversed.

Glaucoma is often hereditary but can be caused by lack of exercise, other eye injuries, or diabetes. Symptoms may include:

  • Patchy blind spots
  • Tunnel vision
  • Headaches
  • Eye pain
  • Nausea
  • Blurry Vision

Not all glaucoma cases can be prevented. However, there are various treatment options that can effective for this type of eye issue if the condition is caught early enough. The best way to prevent glaucoma is to get regular eye screenings, especially if you have diabetes.

Tips & Insights: Top Reasons to Participate in Multiple Consultations Before Cataract Surgery

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic Conjunctivitis happens when the outer part of our eye becomes swollen or irritated with a reaction to pollen, dander, mold, or other things that trigger allergies.

Symptoms may include:

  • Burning or itching sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Puffy eyelids
  • Stringy discharge in the eyes

The best way to prevent allergic conjunctivitis is to avoid allergy-causing substances. Researchers have also found eye drops to help those prone to allergies.

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is very common, especially for those who are 50 and older. As macular degeneration advances, vision loss may occur.

Researchers say you can prevent this type of eye problem with simple lifestyle choices such as not smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and keeping normal blood pressure levels.

Tips & Insights: The Importance of Receiving Vision Screening Tests

Prevent Common Eye Problems With Eye Screenings

The best way to prevent these common eye problems is to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis, or as often as they recommend depending on your situation. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers dependable eye care solutions to clients such as cataract treatments, refractive lens exchange surgery, keratoconus treatments, and LASIK eye surgery. If your vision suddenly changes, contact your eye doctor immediately to schedule an appointment.

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Dilated Pupils: What Is It, Causes, & Treatments

When to Worry About Dilated Pupils

Dilated pupils (also known as mydriasis) are a natural and common reaction to many situations and will usually go away on their own. However, when they’re sudden, are seemingly triggered for no reason, or don’t go away on their own, there can be an underlying cause for them that could require medical attention.

Let’s discuss what dilated pupils are, what they can be caused by when you should worry about them, and what treatment options are available.

What Are Dilated Pupils?

Pupils are the part of your eye that lets light into your eyes to help you see clearly. They’re controlled by the muscles in your iris, which is the colored part of your eye. The normal pupil size for an adult varies from 2 mm to 8 mm, depending on the amount of light exposure.

Dilated pupils occur when your pupils widen. There are natural causes that can cause this, but the effects will always be temporary. If your dilated pupils linger, you should get your eyes checked to find out the underlying reason.

Natural Responses Leading to Dilated Pupils

Pupils are constantly changing in size in response to the amount of light they’re taking in.

They normally dilate in low-light conditions to let more light into the eye. They will also constrict in conditions with higher levels of light to minimize the amount of light that enters the eye.

Comparison of blue eye with dilated pupils vs. constricted pupils.
Comparison of blue eye with dilated pupils vs. constricted pupils.

Causes of Dilated Pupils

There are also unnatural causes that could cause your pupils to dilate. In these cases, consulting with a professional is recommended.

Medications and Drugs

A variety of medications cause dilated pupils by interfering with the muscle function in the iris that controls the pupil’s size.

Some of these medications include:

  • Antihistamines, like Benadryl
  • Muscle relaxants, like Lioresal
  • Decongestants, like Sudafed
  • Parkinson’s medications, like Symmetrel
  • Antidepressants, like Norpramin
  • Illicit drugs like LSD or cocaine

When checked by a healthcare professional, they can determine if the cause of your dilated pupils is a medication you’re taking.

Eye Injuries

Trauma to the brain or eye can cause dilated pupils. Typically, blunt closed trauma damages the iris sphincter muscle, or one of the pathways in the brain that controls it. These injuries can also cause bleeding inside the skull, which can make your pupils enlarge.

Eye injuries can also be caused by:

  • Retinal procedures, like retinal detachment surgery, diabetic retinopathy surgery, and macular hole surgery
  • Intraocular surgery, like cataract removal or a corneal transplant

Medical Conditions

Dilated pupils can also be caused by several medical conditions, such as:

  • Aneurysm in the brain
  • Brain tumor or abscess
  • Excess pressure in one eye caused by glaucoma
  • Acute stroke
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Brain swelling
  • Infection of membranes around the brain
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Intracranial tumor
  • Migraine headache
  • Seizure
  • Tomor, moss, or lymph node in the upper chest or lymph node
  • Diabetic oculomotor nerve palsy
  • Horner syndrome
  • Benign episodic unilateral mydriasis
  • Adie’s pupil
  • Congenital aniridia

When to Worry About Dilated Pupils

If you have an unexplained change in pupil size and it’s not going away, reach out to your healthcare provider. This is particularly true if they started suddenly, are recent, or happened after an injury to your head or eye.

If you have these symptoms along with dilated pupils, get medical treatment immediately:

  • Eye sensitivity to light
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Loss of vision
  • Eye pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stiff neck

Treatments for Dilated Pupils

In most cases, dilated pupils are a natural response that will go away on their own. However, if they continue to linger, a healthcare professional may recommend further treatment. The treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause of your dilated pupils.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses, particularly sunglasses with polarized lenses, can help alleviate discomfort and sensitivity to light caused by dilated pupils.  They’ll reduce the amount of light entering your eyes, providing relief in environments where bright lights exacerbate your sensitivity to light.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be used as a treatment if the abuse of substances is the underlying cause of your dilated pupils.

Treatment programs for substance abuse typically involve:

  • Medication
  • Counseling
  • Therapy
  • Support groups

These programs are utilized to reduce your dependence on the substances that are causing your pupil dilation.

Contact Lenses

Prosthetic contact lenses are specialized lenses that are used to manage eye conditions that cause issues in the appearance of your eyes. For dilated pupils, they are used to cosmetically address pupil size unevenness or irregularities. These lenses are custom-made to match the appearance of your natural eyes and help improve the symmetry and aesthetics of your eyes when there are visible discrepancies in your pupils.

Surgery

Though uncommon, surgery can be used as a treatment for dilated pupils when the underlying cause requires surgical intervention.

These circumstances could include:

  • Eye Trauma: Severe eye injuries that affect the muscles controlling your pupils’ size and response may require surgical intervention to restore your normal pupil function.
  • Nerve Damage: Conditions like a third nerve palsy, where the nerve controlling the pupil’s movement is affected, may require surgical repair to address the underlying cause or to correct the muscle or nerve function.
  • Certain Eye Disorders: In rare cases, specific eye disorders that cause abnormal pupil dilatation could require surgical management or treatment to address the issue.

Act Now on Pupil Changes for Optimal Eye Health

If you have dilated pupils that have no explanation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our reliable team at Specialty Eye Institute. We offer comprehensive eye care that can find out the underlying cause, as well as the best way to treat them.

We are committed to offering exceptional service and treatment every time you come in.  At Specialty Eye Institute, we pride ourselves on following our four core values:

  • Patient-Centered Advocate
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Compassion

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