Blurry Vision? You’re Not Alone.
Struggling to read a street sign or squinting at your phone? You’re in good company—millions of Americans deal with vision issues, and the most common ones are nearsightedness and farsightedness. Some even have a bit of both. And if you're over 40, chances are your near vision isn’t what it used to be. Let’s break down what each condition means, how they happen, and what you can do to see clearly again.
What Actually Causes Nearsightedness and Farsightedness?
First off, these aren’t diseases. Nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) are both types of refractive errors—which simply means your eyes don’t bend light the right way. That’s what causes things to look blurry.
Here’s how it normally works: Light enters your eye through the cornea and lens, then gets focused onto the retina at the back of your eye. The retina sends that info to your brain, and voilà—you see a clear image.
But if your eye shape is slightly off, the light doesn’t land where it should.
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If your eyeball is a bit too long, or your cornea is too curved, light focuses in front of the retina. That’s nearsightedness—you see up close just fine, but distance gets fuzzy.
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If your eyeball is too short, or your cornea is too flat, light lands behind the retina. That’s farsightedness—you see far away clearly, but struggle with close-up stuff.
These differences are often inherited, but your environment and habits (like screen time) can play a role too.
How Common Are These Vision Problems?
Short answer? Very.
More than 40% of Americans are nearsighted—that’s nearly half the country. Farsightedness is less common, affecting about 5–10% of people.
And here’s the kicker: many folks don’t even realize they have a vision issue. If it’s mild, your brain just adjusts. Vision loss usually happens gradually, so it’s easy to miss the signs—especially in kids. A child who’s never seen the board clearly might not even know they’re missing anything!
That’s why regular eye exams are essential. Catching vision problems early can make a big difference—not just for clear sight, but for safety too (especially when driving or working). And sometimes, blurry vision can be a sign of other, more serious eye conditions.
So, Am I Nearsighted or Farsighted?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Nearsighted (Myopia):
You can read a book just fine, but that highway sign in the distance? Not so much. Things far away look blurry, especially at night. If you squint a lot while driving or watching TV, this might be you.
It usually runs in families, but habits matter too. A lot of close-up work—like reading, sewing, or staring at screens—can make it worse over time.
Farsighted (Hyperopia):
Opposite deal. You can see far away clearly, but reading a menu or a food label might take some effort. You may feel eyestrain or get headaches after long periods of close-up tasks.
Farsightedness is often inherited, but things like head injuries, sinus issues, or migraines can make it worse.
Are There Any Risks with Nearsightedness or Farsightedness?
For most people, blurry vision is just an annoyance. But if left untreated—especially with moderate to severe nearsightedness—it can lead to more serious problems later on, like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts. In rare cases, it could even cause retinal detachment, which can permanently damage your sight.
That’s why it’s important to get your eyes checked every year, even if your vision feels "okay." If your prescription changes, your glasses need to change too.
For kids with untreated farsightedness, there's a risk of developing conditions like lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus). The earlier it’s caught, the easier it is to correct.
Can You Have Both Nearsightedness and Farsightedness?
Not in the same eye—that’s a no-go. But yes, some people can have one eye that’s nearsighted and the other that’s farsighted. It’s rare, but it happens, and it’s called anisometropia. Your brain has to work overtime to balance the two images, which can cause eye strain or headaches.
How Can You Treat It?
Good news—fixing blurry vision is easy. Whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or a little bit of both, treatment usually falls into one of these three categories:
👓 1. Eyeglasses
The simplest solution. Your eye doctor will check your vision and give you a prescription:
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Negative numbers (-) mean you’re nearsighted
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Positive numbers (+) mean you’re farsighted
Once you’ve got your prescription, you can choose from tons of stylish frames (and yes—we’ve got you covered on that front too).
👁️ 2. Contact Lenses
If glasses aren’t your thing, contacts are a great alternative. They do the same job, just without the frames. You’ll still need an exam to get the right fit and strength.
💡 3. Laser Eye Surgery
Want to ditch corrective lenses altogether? Procedures like LASIK or PRK reshape your cornea with a laser so light hits your retina just right. It’s not for everyone, and it does carry some risks, so talk to your doctor to see if you’re a good candidate.
What About Astigmatism and Presbyopia?
You’ve probably heard these terms too—they’re common and often confused with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
🔄 Astigmatism
This happens when your cornea or lens isn’t perfectly round, causing light to scatter instead of focus on one clear point. It can blur vision at all distances and make nighttime driving especially tricky (hello, halo lights around cars).
👓 Presbyopia
This one’s age-related. As you hit your 40s or 50s, your eye’s lens gets less flexible, making it harder to focus up close. Reading a menu? Sewing a button? Suddenly harder.
If you have presbyopia along with another condition, you might benefit from multifocal lenses or progressive lenses—glasses that smoothly adjust to near, intermediate, and far distances, all in one pair.
Where to Buy Glasses for Nearsightedness or Farsightedness
Start with a comprehensive eye exam to get your up-to-date prescription. Then the fun part—choosing your glasses!
We make it easy with our virtual try-on tool, letting you see what different frames look like before you buy. Our collection includes high-quality, fashion-forward styles made from durable acetate and lightweight metals. Lenses are scratch-resistant and impact-resistant, perfect for everyday wear.
Bottom Line
If you’re squinting more often, or dealing with frequent headaches, your eyes are trying to tell you something. Nearsightedness and farsightedness are super common—and thankfully, very fixable.
Clear vision is just an exam away. Check out our stylish frames and find your perfect match today!