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Myopia vs. Hyperopia – What’s the Difference?

Vision problems can affect many individuals. However, when it comes to vision problems relating to a need for spectacles or contact lenses, it is usually a refractive reason rather than an eye health problem. Two prevalent refractive conditions are myopia and hyperopia, which can affect your vision at different specified distances due to being unable to properly focus light on the retina of the eyes.

So, what are they and what are the differences between the two? This guide will offer insights into both conditions, how they can affect your vision, and answer any additional questions you may have.

What is myopia?

Commonly known as short-sightedness, myopia can lead to symptoms such as difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, squinting, eye strain, headaches and vision problems when driving.1,2

It typically develops due to somebody having elongated eyeballs, or if the cornea is too curved. Our eyes grow during childhood and are meant to stop growing at a certain age, but this can be affected by factors like lack of daylight exposure and poor living conditions. This may increase the prevalence of myopia in children. Treating the condition may involve corrective options like glasses, contact lenses or eye surgery such as laser.

Severe myopia can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment.3 

What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as hypermetropia or long-sightedness, is an eyesight condition characterised by difficulty focusing on objects nearby such as books, phones and tablets.4 It can affect people of any age, although usually starts in childhood. 

Symptoms include squinting, eye strain, headaches and trouble reading and seeing things close to you. This condition can be caused by the eye being shorter than normal or the shape of the cornea being too flat. If the eyes don’t grow enough during childhood because of factors like genetics and pregnancy complications, it may cause hyperopia.

Treatment options for hyperopia are typically the same as for myopia. These include glasses, contact lenses and surgery to correct the long-sightedness.

Diagnosing myopia and hyperopia

Diagnosis can be relatively simple, as both can be detected through a comprehensive routine eye exam involving tests to measure refractive errors. Optometrists or ophthalmologists can determine the severity of your short-sightedness or long-sightedness and provide an appropriate prescription for corrective lenses.

Correcting myopia and hyperopia

Both myopia and hyperopia can be corrected with corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses. These lenses help focus light correctly on the retina, improving vision.

Different types of lenses correct the two types of vision problems. Myopia can typically be corrected with concave (minus) lenses. These have a thin centre and thicker edge, helping to diverge the light before it enters the eyes and moving its focus back to the retina.

Meanwhile, hyperopia may be treated with convex (plus) lenses. With a thicker centre and thinner edge, these converge light and bring the focus point to the retina.

Both myopia and hyperopia can also be corrected with refractive surgeries, although this isn’t a suitable option for all.

Can you have myopia & hyperopia at the same time?

Some people may develop myopia in one eye and hyperopia in the other, although you cannot have both in the same eye. This can be caused by a range of factors, with age being the biggest contributor. Some people may also develop astigmatism, which can make objects far away or nearby appear blurry or distorted.5

More myopia FAQs:

Can myopia be cured?

Preventing myopia might not be possible, but you can slow the effects of it with appropriate treatment options, including glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery. We recommend seeing an eye care professional to discuss the management options available to you and how they may improve your vision. Every case is different, which is why it’s important to attend regular eye examinations to monitor your refractive condition.

Is myopia genetic?

Myopia can be genetic, although this isn’t always the case. If either or both parents have a refractive error, including myopia and hyperopia, their children can be more likely to develop similar conditions.6,7

Can myopia cause headaches?

Since myopia can cause symptoms like eye strain and squinting, it may cause headaches for some people. If you begin to experience headaches and think they could be linked to your vision, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment to lessen the impact that myopia may be having on your day-to-day life.

More hyperopia FAQs:

Does hyperopia get worse with age?

For some, hyperopia can worsen with age. This may be caused by genetics, other eye conditions, health problems and age.

Can you prevent hyperopia?

As with myopia, it’s difficult to completely prevent hyperopia from developing. However, treatment options can help you maintain good vision and manage the refractive condition.

When to see an eye care professional

If you notice any problems with your vision or your eyes, it’s a good idea to speak to an eye care professional. Not only can they help diagnose the issue, but they can also ensure you receive the appropriate treatment to support your condition and maintain healthy eyes for the future.

Understanding vision problems can help you spot the first signs and keep any worries you might have at bay. For further support and information regarding eye conditions and how they may affect you, check out our eye conditions hub.  

Sources:

  1. Ducloux A, Marillet S, Ingrand P, Bullimore MA, Bourne RRA, Leveziel N. Progression of myopia in teenagers and adults: a nationwide longitudinal study of a prevalent cohort. Br J Ophthalmol. 2023 May;107(5):644-649. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319568. Epub 2021 Dec 22. PMID: 34937695; PMCID: PMC10176358.
  2. NHS: Short-sightedness
  3. Haarman AEG, Enthoven CA, Tideman JWL, Tedja MS, Verhoeven VJM, Klaver CCW. The Complications of Myopia: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020 Apr 9;61(4):49.
  4. NHS: Long-sightedness
  5. National Eye Institute: Refractive Errors. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/
  6. Hopf S, Schuster A. Epidemiology of Myopia: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effects of Myopia. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2024 Oct;241(10):1119-1125. English, German.
  7. Ghorbani Mojarrad N, Williams C, Guggenheim JA. A genetic risk score and number of myopic parents independently predict myopia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2018 Sep;38(5):492-502.
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