Myopia vs. hyperopia: What’s the difference?

Myopia vs. Hyperopia

Myopia and hyperopia are common — but essentially opposite — types of vision problems. The biggest difference between them is how objects are focused in the eye. For people with myopia (short-sightedness) objects focus short of the retina - thus the name. They also see close up objects more clearly. For people with hyperopia (long-sightedness) objects focus behind the retina or too long. They can see distant objects more clearly as their eyes can often easily adjust focus to make them clear.

After light enters our eye through the pupil, it needs to be neatly focused on the retina in the back of the eye. When light enters the eye and does not focus properly on the retina, it causes blurry vision.

Comparison chart: Nearsightedness vs. farsightedness

	Nearsightedness	Farsightedness
Medical term	Myopia	Hyperopia or hypermetropia
What is in focus?	Close-up objects	Distant objects
What looks blurry?	Distant objects	Close-up objects
Eyeball shape (in most cases)	Too long (front to back)	Too short (front to back)
Where light focuses inside the eye	Too far in front of the retina	Too far past the retina

What is short-sighted vision?

The medical term for short-sightedness is myopia. In a myopic eye, light focuses too far in front of the retina, instead of directly on it. 

This usually happens because the eyeball has grown too long from front to back. But it can also be due to the shape or location of the cornea and lens in the eye.

When light focuses in front of the retina, distant objects look blurry and nearby objects look clearer.

Short-sightedness usually develops during childhood and gets progressively worse throughout adolescence. It then stabilises during early adulthood. Children who have progressive myopia may need specialised glasses, contacts or eye drops to slow the progression. This is called myopia control.

AApproximately 55% of Australians report having a sight defect with long and short sightedness being the most common. The rates increase over time with about 12% of children 0-14 years having a defect while 90% of people over 55years old have one.

SEE RELATED: Why myopia progression in children is a growing concern

What is long-sighted vision?

The medical term for long-sightedness is hyperopia. It's the opposite of short-sightedness. Hyperopia is usually caused by an eyeball that's too short, causing light to focus behind the retina. 

Hyperopia usually makes it harder to focus on close objects, and in mild cases this might not affect vision at all. In children and young adults, the eyes’ accommodation system may be able to overcome small amounts of hyperopia to keep vision clear albeit with a little bit of effort. 

However, high levels of hyperopia can cause objects at all distances to appear out of focus. 

Most children are born with hyperopia, meaning they are long-sighted at birth. Childhood hyperopia typically improves as the eyes grow and develop.

The similarities between myopia and hyperopia

Myopia and hyperopia are both types of refractive errors — slight variations in the eye that affect its ability to focus light. These variations are quite common, similar to differences in height.

Short-sightedness and long-sightedness are both easily corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses.  LASIK, PRK and other refractive surgeries can also correct refractive errors. They are options are available once vision stabilises, usually in a person’s early to mid 20s.

If left uncorrected, the two types of refractive error can also share common signs and symptoms, including:

• Squinting to see clearly

• Fatigued,“tired” eyes and eye rubbing

• Eye strain and headaches

If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist.

READ MORE: How to manage myopia and slow its progression

Page published on Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Page updated on Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Medically reviewed on Tuesday, 19 July 2022