What's The Difference Between Nearsightedness And Farsightedness? - Nevada Eye Physicians
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What’s The Difference Between Nearsightedness And Farsightedness?

The most common eye problems in the U.S. are refractive disorders. So if you have blurry vision, nearsightedness or farsightedness may be to blame. It is hard to know what questions to ask your doctor when you receive a diagnosis for certain eye conditions. Hopefully, Nevada Eye Physicians will provide you with the information you need to treat these issues successfully. Learn how to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness when visiting our facility in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Pahrump, NV.

What is a refractive condition?

To understand nearsightedness and farsightedness, you should first learn how the eyes are supposed to work. Light focuses on the retina, and then the brain processes what your eyes are seeing. When light does not focus correctly, you experience blurry or distorted vision. This is also known as a refractive error. Factors, such as eye length and curvature of your lens, affect whether or not you have a refractive condition. Your eye doctor can confirm whether you have a refractive error during a regular eye examination.

What does it mean to be nearsighted?

So what does it mean to be nearsighted? Nearsighted means that objects appear clearer when they are closer to you. This means you can read books without visual aids but may not be able to see road signs. Also known as myopia, nearsightedness is caused when images are focused in front of your retina instead of on your retina. Nearsightedness is commonly found in school-aged children or in early adulthood. Young patients opt for glasses or contact lenses before resorting to other treatments in Las Vegas.

What does it mean to be farsighted?

Now, what does it mean to be farsighted? Also called hyperopia, farsightedness allows you to see distant objects, but objects nearby seem blurry. Farsightedness is normally a result of a too-short eyeball. Light is then reflected behind the retina instead of on it. Because of this, reading books or restaurant menus are often a challenge. You may notice that farsightedness is more common as you age. This type of farsightedness is called presbyopia, and it is one of the main reasons adults require reading glasses as they get older.

How to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness

Want to know how to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness? The most common treatment for refractive errors is getting a pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses. This is especially helpful for children and young people who are not ready for laser vision correction. Adults who have had stable vision for at least 12 months may be candidates for LASIK surgery. This procedure reshapes the cornea to address your vision problems. If you are interested in learning about LASIK, contact Nevada Eye Physicians for help.

Treat blurry vision and more

So what does it mean to be nearsighted? And what does it mean to be farsighted? At Nevada Eye Physicians, we understand you have questions about refractive errors. Whether you have myopia or hyperopia, these conditions can be improved with corrective lenses or LASIK surgery. Contact our eye care facility in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Pahrump, NV to learn about your options. We can create a custom vision treatment plan for you.

Seek Treatment Today

If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with cataracts, it is important to seek attention from an eye care professional as soon as possible. At Nevada Eye Physicians, we work to both diagnose and treat cataracts to help our patients gain clearer vision. To schedule your consultation, contact one of our facilities today.

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