When it comes to vision, there are two main conditions that people usually refer to: myopia and hypermetropia. While they both affect your ability to see clearly, they do so in different ways. Here’s a look at the differences between myopia and hypermetropia.
What is Myopia?
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry. Myopia typically develops in childhood and affects about one-third of the population. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too curved.
- Light rays are bent (refracted) as they pass through the cornea and lens and are focused in front of the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This causes distant objects to look blurred. Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
- Myopia that progresses during childhood frequently stabilizes in adulthood but may continue to progress throughout life. High myopia — an unusually large degree of nearsightedness — is a risk factor for retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
- Myopia usually runs in families, so children with myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia themselves. Myopia can also be caused by working or studying close up for extended periods of time without taking breaks to focus on distant objects.
Treatment for myopia typically involves glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery such as LASIK to correct vision. In some cases, special contact lenses or drops may be used to slow the progression of myopia in children. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in order to prevent high myopia and its associated complications from developing.
What is Hypermetropia?
- Hypermetropia, also known as farsightedness, is a condition in which distant objects appear clear while close objects appear blurry. Hypermetropia occurs when the eyeball is too short or when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) has too little curvature.
- As a result, light rays entering the eye are not focused properly on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Hypermetropia can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how much correction is needed.
- People with mild farsightedness may not notice any symptoms, but those with moderate or severe farsightedness may experience headaches, eyestrain, and difficulty reading. Hypermetropia can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Difference between Myopia and Hypermetropia
Myopia and hypermetropia are both common refractive errors of the eye.
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when light rays enter the eye focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurred distant vision.
- Hypermetropia, or farsightedness, occurs when light rays focus behind the retina, resulting in blurred close vision.
- Myopia can be corrected with concave lenses, which diverge light rays, while hypermetropia is corrected with convex lenses, which converge light rays.
Myopia can also be corrected with refractive surgery, such as LASIK. Hypermetropia is usually not corrected with surgery due to the risks involved.
Conclusion
There are many different types of vision problems, and each one requires a different solution. If you’re experiencing trouble seeing clearly, it’s important to visit an optometrist and get a proper diagnosis. Once you know what type of vision problem you have, you can start looking for the best way to treat it.
