Nearsightedness and farsightedness are the two most common reasons people end up in glasses or contacts. They sound like opposites — and in a sense they are — but understanding the difference helps make sense of your own prescription.

What Is Nearsightedness (Myopia)?

Nearsightedness means distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects stay clear. It happens when the eyeball is slightly too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

• Common signs: squinting to see road signs or a whiteboard, sitting close to the TV, headaches from eye strain
• Often first noticed in school-age children, and it can progress through the teen years
• Corrected with minus-power (concave) lenses

What Is Farsightedness (Hyperopia)?

Farsightedness is the opposite: distant objects are often clear, but close-up tasks like reading are difficult. It occurs when the eyeball is too short, or the cornea too flat, so light focuses behind the retina.

• Common signs: eye strain or headaches with near work, blurry close-up vision, in some cases blurry distance vision too
• Mild hyperopia in children is common and often not a problem since young eyes can compensate — but it's still worth monitoring
• Corrected with plus-power (convex) lenses

Why the Distinction Matters

Your prescription isn't just a number — it reflects which type of refractive error you have and how significant it is. This shapes decisions about glasses versus contacts, whether LASIK or another refractive procedure is a good candidate option, and how your vision might change over time.

Can These Change Over Time?

Yes. Myopia often progresses during childhood and adolescence, then tends to stabilize in early adulthood. Hyperopia can become more noticeable with age as the eye's natural focusing ability declines — which is part of why many farsighted people eventually need reading glasses even earlier than their nearsighted peers.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're nearsighted, farsighted, or somewhere in between, a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to know your exact prescription and how it may be changing.

Not sure which one applies to you — or just due for an updated prescription? Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our team.