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MIDTOWN OPTOMETRY BLOG / March 1, 2017

Nearsighted Farsighted and Astigmatism

Editorial update: October 20, 2026

Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism are common refractive errors: the eye’s focusing system does not bring light to a sharp image on the retina in the usual way. Glasses or contact lenses often help; surgery is an option only for suitable candidates.

Eye cross-section showing distant light focusing in front of the retina in myopia
In a myopic eye, distant light focuses in front of the retina. Treatment aims to slow further progression; correction brings the image into focus.National Eye Institute / NIH · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; image content unaltered.

Myopia commonly causes distance blur. Hyperopia can cause near-vision difficulty or strain, although age and the amount of focusing effort affect symptoms. Astigmatism can blur or distort vision at more than one distance. An eye examination determines the type and amount of correction needed and checks for other causes of blur.

For children with progressing myopia, see our research-linked myopia-management guide. For surgery, see LASIK assessment and referral. More background is available from NIH on refractive errors.

Watch the original video on YouTube

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This article was published March 1, 2017. For advice about your own eyes, speak with your optometrist.

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