Is It Better To Be Near Or Farsighted?

Most people are familiar with the terms nearsightedness and farsightedness; however, you might feel unsure about what they really mean. While both are two of the most common forms of visual impairments, nearsightedness is a condition in which close objects appear clearly, but things further away are blurry. On the other hand, farsightedness is the inability to see objects up close, while those farther away appear clear.

You should be aware of whether you are nearsighted or farsighted. This will help you correct your sight sooner rather than later with the proper corrective lenses. Furthermore, you will also be mindful of how you can see better—by using good lighting, the right pair of glasses, and the right contacts when driving or doing other activities.

Symptoms of Being Nearsighted or Farsighted

Your eyes help you see by converting light into images. The light from any source travels from your cornea into your pupil and hits the retina at the back of your eyes. The retina then passes light off to the optic nerve, which transmits electrical impulses to the brain.

Also known as myopia, when you are nearsighted, a refractive error exists in the path of your vision, meaning light doesn’t correctly get focused on your retina. Myopia tends to worsen during childhood. It also tends to run in families and has something to do with the shape of your eyes. For instance, if you are born with a steeply curved cornea or an untypically longer eyeball, it can result in nearsightedness. However, it can also naturally develop, and the pace could be slow or quick depending on the person.

What Causes Farsightedness?

Farsightedness or hyperopia happens primarily as a result of the shape of your eye. For example, hyperopia is commonly seen in people who have a flat cornea or shorter-than-normal eyeball. The cornea and lens are two parts of your eyes that refract incoming light into your retina. When they aren’t of normal shape and size, it makes images appear out of focus. 

This is one condition that is most likely inherited through your genes. It is also caused by the hardening of the lens in your eyes, which occurs naturally as you age.

Despite their differences, the symptoms of these two vision problems are often the same and include:

• Blurry Vision
• Squinting
• Headaches/Migraines
• Poor Nighttime Vision
• Eyestrain
• Fatigued or “tired” eyes

Can You Correct Being Near or Farsighted?

Nearsightedness and farsightedness are common problems that can be routinely corrected with the right form of treatment.  The most common correction method for both vision impairments is the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, depending on how severe your condition is, you might have to wear the lenses constantly. 

For instance, if you only experience difficulty seeing at certain times, like during nighttime, you might want to use glasses on an as-needed basis. You can also choose to get refractive surgery, like LASIK or PRK surgery. However, remember that the conditions can resurface after several years.

An ideal option would be to get a prescription for eyeglasses, particularly a multifocal one. Try different options like Oakley prescription glasses or fun frames by Burberry. There are many style options that can also meet your vision needs.

Which is Worse?

Whether it is better to be nearsighted or farsighted depends on your lifestyle and occupation. For instance, you can live with nearsightedness rather than farsightedness if you need close-up details often because of your job, like working in an office all day. 

On the other hand, farsightedness might not affect you if you drive a lot for work. The benefit of having clearer distance vision will help you see road signs, exits, and pedestrians with greater ease. However, it might be worse when it comes to navigating your surroundings. Nearsightedness worsens over time, especially during adulthood. 

Live a Healthy Life

Both near and farsightedness are common visual impairments that can sometimes occur together with astigmatism. Both issues are on the rise around the world. Though these conditions have a genetic component, researchers have found that various environmental factors could also play a vital role.

If you experience symptoms associated with near and farsightedness, you should consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They will be best able to treat your symptoms safely and properly. While people often find these issues challenging, especially during specific occasions, prescription lenses might be all you need to correct them in most cases.