The difference between long sightedness and short sightedness
Two of the most common eye issues are short sightedness - also known as myopia - and long sightedness, or hyperopia. These can affect people of all ages to varying degrees, but it’s important to know the difference between the two as they affect vision in opposite ways. Here, we explain each condition and their respective symptoms and treatment.
What is short sightedness?
People with short sightedness are able to focus on objects that are up close, but objects at a distance often appear blurry. This makes daily tasks such as reading whiteboards and road signs difficult.
Short sightedness happens because rays of light coming into the eye focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. A number of factors influence its development including genetics, premature birth and ethnic background. Because the condition often develops during childhood and progresses during adolescence, it’s important to ensure children have their vision assessed regularly. It’s usually treated with optical glasses and those who develop it must also have routine checks to ensure their sight is being corrected with the right prescription.
What is long sightedness?
Long sightedness is the opposite of short sightedness in that those who experience it can focus on distant objects easily, but struggle to focus on anything close-up. This makes it difficult to read or use a phone, for example.
Long sightedness occurs when rays of light focus behind the retina instead of directly onto it. It is typically developed later in life, after the age of 40, although it can be caused by genetics. Symptoms can include needing to squint to focus on nearby objects, or frequent headaches due to eye strain. As with short sightedness it’s most commonly treated with optical glasses, and regular checks with the best optician in your area are important to ensure the correct prescription is being used.
Can you have short and long sightedness at the same time?
Many people develop age-related long sightedness (known as presbyopia) in addition to existing short sightedness. This is typically treated with bifocal glasses, which correct both near and distance vision in the same lens, negating the need for two separate pairs of glasses. The lens is divided into two parts, with the top being used for distance vision and the bottom for close-up tasks.
In some cases, individuals can be short sighted in one eye and long sighted in the other. This is known as antimetropia. It is most commonly detected in a child’s first eye exam, which is why it’s important to ensure children have access to regular screenings by a trained optometrist. You can simply search “eye optician near me” to find options in your local area.
Eye care with The Eye Establishment
If you suspect you are long or short sighted, or you want to get your child’s eyes tested, visit The Eye Establishment in Kensington and Chelsea. As one of the best opticians in London, we provide comprehensive care to ensure your eyes are healthy and your vision needs are met. Contact us today to book an appointment.