Our Readers Asked About: Nearsightedness vs. Farsightedness vs. Astigmatism

Reader Question: What's the difference between nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism? How do I know which one I have?

The best way to determine what’s happening is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your doctor. They can perform a series of tests to determine which refractive error you’re currently experiencing.

To help you with your consultation, I created a table showing the different types of refractive errors you should be aware of:

Refractive Error	Description
Nearsightedness (myopia)	People with myopia can clearly see objects up close, but distant objects appear blurry. Typically develops in childhood or adolescence and may progress slowly over time.
Farsightedness (hyperopia)	People with hyperopia can clearly see objects at a distance, but nearer objects appear blurry. Typically present at birth or develop later in life.
Astigmatism	Occurs when the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens inside is irregular in shape. It often causes blurred vision at all distances.

The good news is that all three of these conditions are very treatable with glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery in some cases. It’s important to get regular eye exams to catch these problems early on before they can get worse. 

How can you manage refractive error symptoms?

There are ways to manage your condition, regardless of whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Here are a few things you can do:

• Adjust your lighting. Ensure you have plenty of bright light when reading or doing close-up work.
• Take breaks. Look away from your work or reading material every 20 to 30 minutes to give your eyes a rest.
• Try over-the-counter reading glasses. If you're struggling to read small print, a pair of inexpensive reading glasses from the drugstore may provide temporary relief.