Nearsighted vs Farsighted: What Is the Difference?
Both are very common focusing problems, and both are corrected with glasses. The difference is which distance looks blurry.
Nearsighted (myopia)
You see well up close but distant things are blurry: road signs, the board, the TV. Your prescription has a minus sign (−) in SPH.
Farsighted (hyperopia)
Distant things may look fine, but focusing up close takes effort and can cause tired eyes or headaches when reading. Your prescription has a plus sign (+).
Not the same as presbyopia
Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near focus after about 40. Farsightedness can exist at any age.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other?
Yes, it is less common but it happens. Each lens is made for each eye.
Do I need to wear glasses all the time?
It depends on your prescription and daily needs. Ask your eye doctor.
Related guides
This guide is for information only and does not replace an eye exam. If you have eye pain, sudden vision loss or flashes of light, see a doctor right away.