Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina
rather than in front or behind it. A person with normal vision can
see objects clearly both near and faraway.Nearsightedness results
in blurred vision when the visual image is focused in front of the
retina, rather than directly on it. It occurs when the physical
length of the eye is greater than the optical length. For this
reason, nearsightedness often develops in the rapidly growing
school-aged child or teenager, and progresses during the growth
years, requiring frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses. A
nearsighted person sees near objects clearly, while objects in the
distance are blurred.Farsightedness is the result of the visual
image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it.
It may be caused by the eyeball being too small or the focusing
power being too weak. Farsightedness is often present from birth,
but children can often tolerate moderate amounts without
difficulty, and most outgrow the condition. Farsightedness often
develops in middle-aged and older adults. A farsighted person sees
faraway objects clearly, while objects that are near are blurred.
Review Date: 03/10/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)