Short Sighted Vs Long Sighted Vision - Definitions, Causes and More

The cause of myopia is unknown, but it’s thought to have originated by inheritance or environmental factors. At least one or both parents likely have myopia when a child is diagnosed with the condition. Moreover, environmental factors include doing a lot of close-up, focused work such as reading or computer work. As mentioned, the condition usually emerges during childhood or adolescence when the eye is growing but stabilises in early adulthood. Nevertheless, in some cases, myopia doesn’t level out and worsens with age. Around 25% of the Australian population are myopic.

The most common way to address myopia in children and adolescents is with glasses, while contact lenses are also an option for teens and adults.  

The first clinical trial of low-concentration atropine drops in Australian children was recently conducted, and the results were published in August 2022. The trial found promising results, with the atropine drops slowing down myopia progression by 35% and slowing down eye growth by 33% after 18 months of treatment.

For those people wanting to correct their myopia, laser eye surgery is also an option. Myopia patients can access refractive eye surgery to permanently improve their eyes. In most cases, LASIK eye surgery is recommended.  

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) is a technique using the SCHWIND ATOS to create a partial thickness flap of the cornea. The excimer laser then reshapes the surface beneath the flap. Patients with a thin cornea may be advised to have PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy), another form of laser refractive surgery. Your laser eye surgeon will discuss the best option for you when you visit Lions Laser Vision. 

Long-sightedness is also called far-sightedness and hyperopia. Long-sightedness occurs when the cornea and lens aren’t strong enough or the eye is too short. Light is then focused behind the retina.

Hyperopia often occurs in childhood before the age of 10 but usually improves as the eye grows and glasses are no longer needed. Long-sightedness can develop in adults in their 20s and 30s, which is often noticed in their reading vision. Progression usually continues until the eyes stabilise in the early 60s. After the age of 50, people with hyperopia may also notice their distance vision becoming blurry. At this point, one will need to upgrade their glasses to bifocal or varifocal glasses (or have two pairs of different strengths).  

As we age, it becomes more difficult to see objects in the near distance and later to see in the distance.

Most people who are far-sighted were born with it. There is a greater chance of being far sighted if other members of the family are. 

Other causes include some medications, cancer around the eye, and diabetes.

The signs of hyperopia include:

• Difficulty seeing things up close
• Tired, sore eyes
• Headaches
• Eye discomfort after doing close tasks 

A child with severe farsightedness is at greater risk of crossed eyes or lazy eyes.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses are commonly used to treat far-sightedness.

Adults can be treated with laser eye surgery. The laser is used to steepen the cornea’s shape and cause the focusing point on the eye to move forward and match up with the surface area of the retina. Most cases of hyperopia are treated with our LASIK procedure, but your eye surgeon will discuss the best options for your case. Hyperopic laser eye surgery patients benefit most from laser eye surgery. Most patients notice improvements in vision at every distance. However, the condition progresses with age, meaning laser eye surgery isn’t a permanent cure.

If you start noticing objects appear blurry up close or in the distance, don’t hesitate to visit an optometrist for a simple eye test that will tell you if you are short-sighted or long-sighted. We hope now you have some better understanding about short sighted vs long sighted as understanding the differences between long-sighted and short-sighted meanings is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss laser eye surgery further, please contact us online or call (08) 9381 0758 to speak with one of our clinical coordinators. Alternatively, you can take our free online suitability test to find out if you may be eligible for laser eye surgery.