Am I Nearsighted or Farsighted?

In order to see clearly, light must be refracted through the cornea to focus perfectly on the retina at the back of the eye. Not doing so causes blurry vision. Depending on where the light lands, either in front or behind the retina, will depend on whether you are near sighted (short sighted) or far sighted. 

But how do you know which one afflicts you and what should you do about it? Well below we will explain the difference between the two and how to tell, but the answer on what to do about it is very simple. Head down to your local EyeQ store and book an eye test with one of our resident eye specialists. Not only will they confirm if you are near or far sighted, but they will also be able to prescribe the correct glasses or contact lenses to best suit your condition.

You can request an appointment by simply calling us on 0861 693 937 and speaking with an eye specialist in person.

Nearsighted (Myopia)

Near sightedness means that you are better able to see objects near to you. If you struggle to focus on objects or landscape far away from you but are easily able to read your book (or this article even), then you are near sighted. This happens when the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball lying on its side with the front and back of the eyes being further apart. This causes the light to fall short of the retina making everything in the distance blurry.

Being near sighted means that you will most likely require reading glasses to help you focus on smaller text and finer details in the near space in front of you, such as reading a book for instance. Prescriptions for contact lenses or reading glasses for short sightedness can be acquired through a simple eye test at one of our local EyeQ stores in Cape Town or Pretoria.

Farsighted (Hyperopia)

Far sightedness is exactly the opposite, allowing you to focus easily on objects far away but finding it difficult to focus on objects closer to you. In reverse this means that your eye (while also rugby ball shaped) is more like a rugby ball balancing on the tip, with the top and bottom of the eye more elongated forcing the light shining through your eye to fall behind the retina.

Being far sightedness means that you will most likely need contact lenses or glasses designed for use while driving or doing sport activities. Driving glasses and contact lenses can be obtained through an eye test appointment at one of our stores, where our eye specialist will assist you in providing the correct driving glasses for your eyes.

Looking After Your Eyes

Just like any mechanical object in this world, our eyes deteriorate over time through constant use and that deterioration can be sped up through neglect. Looking after your eyes is an investment in your health, so don’t neglect the signs when they begin. If your vision is becoming blurry or you are having problems with your eyes, consult an eye specialist today, don’t put it off for later. We at EyeQ are always available to offer consultation and advice on your eye health, so take advantage of it and make sure your eyes get the attention they deserve.