Difference Between Myopia and Hyperopia

Table of Contents

Main Difference

The main difference between Myopia and Hyperopia is that Myopia is a condition of the eye in which a person cannot see the far away things also known as short-sightedness. While in the case of Hyperopia condition, a person cannot see the near objects also known as long-sightedness.

Myopia vs. Hyperopia

The common eye problems are myopia or short-sightedness and hyperopia or long sightedness. These defects are also called “refractive errors or defects”. Myopia is a condition in which one person cannot see the far away things clearly but can see near objects while in case of hyperopia one person cannot see near things and can see far objects clearly. Myopia can be corrected by a double concave lens while hyperopia can be fixed by a dual convex lens. In the case of myopia, light refract in such a way that image formed in front of the retina but in case of hyperopia image formed behind the retina of the eye. In myopia eyeball size increases while decreases in hyperopia. The focal length of the eye lens decreases in myopia while increases in hyperopia.

Comparison Chart

MyopiaHyperopia
The condition of eye defect in which one person cannot see things beyond the “far point”.The state of eye defect in which a person cannot see nearer things.
Formation of Image
The image is formed in front of the retina of the eye.The image is formed behind the retina of the eye.
Causes
Increased axial length, Degeneration of choroid, Degeneration of retina and vitreous.A decreased axial length of the eye and lower refractive index.
Size of Eyeball
IncreasesDecreases
Focal Length
The focal length of the eye lens is decreased.The focal length of the eye lens is increased.
Corrected by
Using a double concave lens, laser, and surgical treatments.Using a dual convex lens, laser, and surgical methods.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is a condition in which the person cannot see distant objects. Short-sightedness occurs due to the formation of an image in front of the retina instead of on retina. Myopia is originated from the Greek word “Mumps” which means short-sighted. Therefore Myopia is also called short-sightedness. There are some causes of refraction of light and making an image in front of the retina than on retina which is inclusive curvature of cornea or lens, increases in axial length of the eye, increases in refractive index, the anterior position of the lens. Myopia has many types like congenital which is by birth, simple which is most common and starts from the age of 5-10 to 15-20 years, and this is due to curvature and length problem, pathological which is hereditary and progressive. Retinoscopy and A-scan Biometry methods diagnose myopia. Treatment of short-sightedness is possible by using a diverging lens like a concave lens, contact lenses and by the surgical approach in flattening of cornea and implantation of contact lenses.

Example

A student who is not able to see the counting or letters written on the classroom board is suffering from short-sightedness.

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia is defined as the condition or defect of the eye in which a person can see the far away things but is unable to see nearer things. Hyperopia is also known as hypermetropia. In this condition, the image is formed behind the retina of the eye. There are many causes which creates the image behind the retina of the eye; these are the curvature of lens and cornea is flattened than the regular, short axial length of the eye, decrease in refractive index and posterior position of the eye lens. Hyperopia is also called long-sightedness. There are also different types of hyperopia like total hyperopia, latent and manifest hyperopia. This type of defect is also diagnosed by A-scan Biometry and retinoscopy. Hyperopia can be treated by using the diverging convex lens, by making cornea central curve part more curved by the surgical methods.

Example

A person is suffering from the hyperopia if he cannot read the book in his hand.

Key Differences

  • In myopia, one cannot see the things which are far and can see the near objects clear while in case of hyperopia one cannot see the closer things but can see far objects clear.
  • In myopia ray of light refracted in this way that it makes the image in front of retina while in case of hyperopia, a beam of light refracted in the direction that it makes the image behind the retina of the eye.
  • In treatment, concave lenses are used in myopia, and convex lenses are used in hyperopia.
  • Conclusion

    This article concludes that both myopia and hyperopia are the defects of the eye. Myopia is also known as short-sightedness while hyperopia is called long-sightedness or hypermetropia. Both the defects of sight can be treated by refractive lenses, contact lenses, laser treatment, and surgical methods.

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