Millions of people worldwide wear glasses to help them see better. What some people with normal vision may not know is that there are differences in the eye problems that these millions face. Let us delve into the differences and get a better understanding.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness means that the affected individuals can see objects near them, but distant objects are blurry. This results from light being focused in front of the retina rather than on it. The causes for nearsightedness include:
1. Growth
As children grow, the shape of their eyeballs changes, increasing the eye’s physical length. The light then falls short of the retina, causing the nearsightedness.
2. Visual Stress
Take time away from screens and rest your eyes to avoid this potential cause of nearsightedness.
3. Health Conditions
Diseases such as diabetes may lead to adult-onset nearsightedness, which is rare compared to the onset of nearsightedness in children and teenagers.
What Are the Symptoms of Nearsightedness?
1. Distant Objects Are Blurry
You can see close objects clearly, but those that are far away become blurry. If someone is waving at you and they have to get closer for you to know who they are, you may be nearsighted.
2. Eye Fatigue or Soreness
You may constantly feel a strain or some discomfort in your eyes, especially after looking at something in the distance.
3. Squinting
Squinting makes things that are far away clearer than they were before. If you squint regularly to improve your eyesight, it is probably time to see an optometrist.
Farsightedness
This is a condition in which a person can see objects that are far away clearly, but those that are close by are blurry. This is because light entering the eye is focused behind the retina and not directly on it. The causes of farsightedness include:
1. Eyeball Is Too Small
This is genetic, and it occurs from birth. Most children outgrow the condition as they age, although some people still live with it through adulthood.
What Are the Symptoms of Farsightedness?
1. Headache
You may experience a headache after looking at something close by, such as while reading a book.
2. Pain
You may feel an aching or burning sensation around the eye, indicative of straining.
3. Squinting
This symptom similarly applies to farsighted people as it does to nearsighted ones.
So How Can One Tell if They Are Near or Farsighted?
If you experience the above symptoms, it may be time to visit an optometrist to let them correctly diagnose you and plan a course of treatment. Children should routinely visit an optometrist for eye examinations because most people experience mild near or farsightedness for a long while before it is diagnosed. According to The American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 1.3 million Americans 40 years and above are termed legally blind, meaning that even with corrective treatment, their visual acuity is less than or equal to 20/200. Such people should consult their optometrist to determine if it is safe to operate heavy machinery or drive.