You can have both farsightedness and nearsightedness at the same time. It's common to have age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) and nearsightedness (myopia) together, but having antimetropia, which is one eye farsighted and the other nearsighted, is rare.
Imagine waking up one morning and realizing that you are unable to read the small print on your phone or the label on your medicine bottle. Or perhaps you are already struggling to read your favorite book even when holding it at arm's length. Farsightedness is a common vision problem that can affect people of all ages, and there are two distinct types.
In this article, we will explore both conditions in people with nearsightedness. Additionally, we will address a frequently asked question: "Is it possible to have both farsightedness and nearsightedness at the same time?"
What are the different types of farsightedness?
Farsightedness is a common term but may refer to two different types of vision problems: hyperopia and presbyopia.
Hyperopia is usually caused by the eyeball being too short from front to back. This leads to light focusing behind the retina and making nearby objects appear blurry. While most people who are hyperopic are born with it, it may not cause vision problems until they get older.
On the other hand, presbyopia is age-related farsightedness that typically occurs as part of the natural aging process. As we get older, our eyes' lenses become less flexible, making it more difficult to focus on nearby objects. This condition usually becomes noticeable in our early to mid-40s and worsens until around age 65. You may first notice presbyopia when you begin holding books and newspapers at a distance to read them.
There are various treatment options available for both hyperopia and presbyopia. The most common treatments include eyeglasses or contact lenses, which can be prescribed by your eye doctors. For adults, eye surgery is also an additional option. The surgery can reshape the cornea to improve vision, but may not be appropriate for everyone.
Can you have presbyopia and myopia at the same time?
It is possible to have both age-related farsightedness – presbyopia – and nearsightedness – myopia – simultaneously in the same eyes, which is actually quite common. Myopia occurs due to the abnormal elongation of the eye, while age-related farsightedness is caused by the loss of flexibility of the eye's lens.
If you already have myopia and begin to develop presbyopia, you may not notice it immediately. This is because myopia causes the image of an object to form in front of the retina, while presbyopia forms the image behind the retina; your eyes may compensate, resulting in some vision improvement. However, you will eventually require glasses to maintain clear vision, both near and far.
If you already wear glasses for nearsightedness, your eye doctor may suggest bifocal or progressive lenses, which are popular solutions for individuals with both myopia and presbyopia. Additionally, eye surgery may be recommended for adults. And a monovision correction strategy may also be suggested, where one or both eyes are corrected for distance vision while the other is corrected for close-up vision.
Can someone have both hyperopia and myopia simultaneously?
Antimetropia, a rare type of anisometropia, is when one eye is farsighted – hyperopic – and the other is nearsighted – myopic. Studies indicate that naturally occurring antimetropia is rare, and it is typically associated with amblyopia.1 The exact cause of antimetropia is unknown, but it may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Detecting anisometropia in children may be difficult, as they may not complain of vision problems. However, crossed or wandering eyes may indicate the presence of the condition.
If left untreated, antimetropia can cause symptoms such as double vision, blurred vision, headaches, poor depth perception, dizziness, and eye pain or discomfort.2 Therefore, it is important to seek proper diagnosis and treatment.
Fortunately, antimetropia can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or even eye surgery. Additional treatments for amblyopia may include eye patching, using eye drops, or wearing filtered glasses.
Conclusion
It's possible to have both farsightedness and nearsightedness at the same time. Age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) and nearsightedness (myopia) can coexist in the same eyes, and it's actually quite common. On the other hand, antimetropia is a rare condition where one eye is hyperopic and the other is myopic. Luckily, glasses, contact lenses, and even eye surgery are all effective treatments for these conditions to help you or your loved ones maintain excellent vision.
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1. de Vries J. Anisometropia in children: analysis of a hospital population. Br J Ophthalmol 1985; 69: 504–507.
2. Barrett, Brendan T et al. “The relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia.” Progress in retinal and eye research vol. 36 (2013): 120-58. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2013.05.001
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