The eyes are wonderful and highly specialized organs. They capture visual information from your surroundings and send it to your brain in the form of signals. Your brain then processes these signals to help you recognize objects, judge distances, and engage safely in your day-to-day activities.
However, for clear vision, your eyes must accurately focus the light. Their inability to do so is associated with vision problems. Myopia and hypermetropia are the two most common refractive errors. They affect both children and adults.
Although the cause for myopia and hypermetropia is similar, they affect your vision entirely differently. They also require different corrective approaches. At Eye-Q Eye Hospitals in Gurgaon, you can get access to advanced corrective measures for these visual issues under expert care.
This blog explains the specifics of myopia and hypermetropia, including their causes, symptoms, and corrective measures. It also discusses the various similarities and differences between myopia and hypermetropia.
How Does Normal Vision Work?
In a normal eye, the light rays pass through the outer layers, namely the cornea and lens, and focus directly on the retina, the back wall of the eyeball. The resulting image is sharp and clear.
Sometimes, your eye is unable to refract, or bend, the light rays to precisely focus them on the retina. In such cases, the resulting image is blurry. This phenomenon is called a refractive error.
In refractive errors like myopia and hypermetropia, this focus point for the light rays shifts either in front of or behind the retina.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is an eye condition where distant objects appear blurred while nearby objects can be seen clearly. It is commonly called near-sightedness.
What Causes Myopia?
In myopia, the light rays focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
This can be caused by:
- An eyeball that is longer than normal (axial myopia)
- Increased curvature of the cornea or the lens, which bends the light too strongly
As a result, distant images fail to form a sharp image on the retinal surface, thus appearing blurred.
Clinical Features of Myopia
The most common symptoms of myopia include:
- Blurred distance vision
- Difficulty reading road signs or classroom boards
- Squinting to see clearly
- Eye strain and headaches
- Reduced visual performance in low light
- Children may sit unusually close to screens or books
Who is More Likely to Develop Myopia?
Myopia is most likely to occur in the following cases:
- Children with parents who have myopia
- People who spend long hours on screens or reading
- People with limited outdoor activity
- Myopia often starts in childhood or teenage years
What is Hypermetropia?
Hypermetropia is an eye condition where distant objects appear more clearly than nearby objects. It is commonly called far-sightedness.
What Causes Hypermetropia?
Myopia and hypermetropia have similar causative factors. Only in hypermetropia, the light rays are focused behind the retina.
This can be caused by:
- A shorter-than-normal eyeball
- Reduced refractive power of the cornea or lens
Clinical Features of Hypermetropia
The most common symptoms of hypermetropia include:
- Difficulty focusing on near objects
- Eye fatigue during reading or screen use
- Headaches, especially after close work
- Burning or aching sensation in the eyes
Key Differences Between Myopia and Hypermetropia
The chart below discusses the major differences between myopia and hypermetropia.
Similarities Between Myopia and Hypermetropia
Despite the many differences between myopia and hypermetropia, these conditions share several similarities. The common important characteristics include:
- Both are refractive errors
- Both can affect children and adults
- Both may cause eye strain and headaches
- Both are detectable through routine eye examinations
- Both are correctable with appropriate optical or surgical intervention
Diagnosis of Myopia and Hypermetropia
At Eye-Q Eye Hospital, the diagnosis for vision problems is based on a detailed eye examination. It includes:
- Visual acuity assessment
- Objective and subjective refraction
- Evaluation of ocular health
- Cycloplegic refraction in children when indicated
Early diagnosis of vision issues is particularly critical in children. It can help prevent complications like amblyopia, also called the lazy eye.
Myopia and Hypermetropia: Treatment and Vision Correction
The most common treatment and vision coorection options for these conditions are discussed below.
1. Spectacles
Spectacles are the used as the first-line treatment for these conditions. These are the most common and safest corrective option. People with myopia require concave lenses, commonly called minus lenses. On the other hand, hypermetropia requires convex lenses, or plus lenses.
2. Contact Lenses
Contact lenses do the same work as spectacles without the hassle of carrying them around. These are recommended for select patients and require strict hygiene and follow-up.
3. Surgery
Adults can opt for a refractive surgery, including procedures like LASIK, PRK, and SMILE. For this, the doctors review the patient’s medical history and eligibility for the surgery and engage in a detailed pre-operative evaluation and planning.
Get Regular Eye Check-ups for a Healthy Eyesight
Myopia and hypermetropia are among the most common vision conditions. While they are nothing to fear, getting regular eye check-ups and indulging in healthy practices can help you avoid or correct them.
At Eye-Q Eye Hospital, our doctors analyze each patient’s medical history before curating a personalized treatment plan for them. You can also seek regular eye check-ups. Our advanced technology can help you detect an issue at the first sign of abnormal function.
Contact us to book an appointment with one of our eye experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What eye defect is myopia?
Myopia is also called near-sightedness. It is an eye condition where nearby objects appear stark clear while the distant objects appear blurred.
2. What is the difference between myopia and hypermetropia?
Myopia is a condition where distant objects appear blurred while the nearby vision remains normal. On the other hand, hypermetropia causes the near vision to blur while the distant vision is normal.
3. Do myopia need glasses?
Yes. Glasses are the most common corrective measure for myopia. Concave lenses are used for this condition, also commonly called minus lenses. In such cases, you need to keep your glasses on while driving or going out.
