What is the Difference Between Long Sighted and Short Sighted?

The difference between long-sightedness and short-sightedness lies in how the eye focuses light on the retina, which affects a person's ability to see objects at different distances. Here are the main differences between the two:

Long-sightedness (Hyperopia or Hypermetropia):

• The eyeball is too short for its refractive power, causing light to focus behind the retina when the eye is relaxed.
• Distant objects are in focus, while near objects appear blurry.
• The ability to see near objects is affected, while the ability to see distant objects remains clear.
• Long-sightedness can often be compensated for in youth by the muscles in the eye, but as a person ages, reading glasses may be required to help with reading.

Short-sightedness (Myopia):

• The eyeball is too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina.
• Near objects are in focus, while distant objects appear blurry.
• The ability to see distant objects is affected, while the ability to see near objects remains clear.
• Short-sightedness is more common than long-sightedness and affects approximately 15% of people in Australia.

Both long-sightedness and short-sightedness can be treated with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery is also an option.

Comparative Table: Long Sighted vs Short Sighted

The main difference between long-sightedness (hyperopia) and short-sightedness (myopia) is the ability to see objects at different distances. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Both long-sightedness and short-sightedness are refractive errors, meaning that the light entering the eye does not focus properly on the retina. In long-sightedness, the light focuses behind the retina, causing blurry near vision, while in short-sightedness, the light focuses in front of the retina, causing blurry distance vision. Both conditions can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.