Differences in eyesight span a wide spectrum. Although nearsightedness is the most common diagnosis, there are countless levels of it and multiple solutions, depending on the severity. Farsightedness is less common but is still a prevalent diagnosis. Believe it or not, it’s possible to be both nearsighted and farsighted, a condition called anisometropia. No matter your eye health needs, Maine Optometry is dedicated to finding a solution to fit your lifestyle, budget and goals. Find out more at maineoptometry.com.
Nearsighted
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is an incredibly common vision condition in which objects near to you appear clearly but objects farther away are blurry and out of focus. Scientists estimate that more than ⅓ of the world population has myopia. Myopia occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina. Nearsightedness may develop gradually or rapidly, typically worsening during childhood and adolescence. In today’s world, with the near-constant use of electronic devices, myopia is on the rise. Blue-light filtering glasses may help to slow the onset of myopia as it pertains to heavy screen time. Nearsightedness usually runs in families. An eye exam is the most accurate way to diagnose myopia but symptoms usually include:
- Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
- Squirting or partially closing eyelids to see clearly
- Eyestrain-induced headaches
- Difficulty seeing while driving at night
If you are still experiencing blurry vision despite already wearing prescription eyeglasses or contacts, it’s probably time for an updated prescription. Frequent eye exams are the best way to stay on top of managing myopia.
Farsighted
Farsightedness or hyperopia is a far less common vision condition than myopia, affecting 5 to 10 percent of Americans. With hyperopia, objects near to you are blurry but objects in the distance are clear. Farsightedness is usually present at birth. General eye discomfort or a headache after doing close-up tasks such as computer work or drawing are possible signs of hyperopia. Surgery is a possible solution for hyperopia, as are prescription eyeglasses or contacts. An eye exam is the most accurate way to diagnose hyperopia.
Is it Possible to Be Both?
Is it possible to be nearsighted and farsighted? Although rare, yes, it is possible to be both nearsighted and farsighted. When a person is nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other this condition is referred to as anisometropia. Anisometropia is a result of your two eyes having significantly different refractive powers. Antimetropia is a condition in which one eye is farsighted and the other is nearsighted. Thanks to rapidly growing optometry technology, anisometropia can be corrected by a combination of convex and concave lenses. Surgery is another popular option to cure anisometropia. Schedule an appointment with your local optometrist today to have your eyes checked. For any of the conditions mentioned, early detection is key to finding a solution.