Most people wear glasses usually because they have vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. However, what is the difference between nearsightedness and astigmatism? Knowing the difference between these two eye conditions can help you maintain better eye health.
Getting to Know Nearsightedness and Its Symptoms
Among the parts of the eye, there are the iris cornea, pupil, crystal retina and optic nerve. The normal vision process occurs when light that penetrates the eye is focused by the lens and cornea, reflected in the retina and transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve to be displayed as an image. However, in someone who has nearsightedness or myopia, the light that enters the eye does not fall directly on the retina, but falls in front of the retina. That is what causes the view to be unclear or blurry when looking at objects that are located at a distance. The cause of nearsightedness is that the cornea is too curved, so that the incoming light projects far in front of the retina. In fact, the further the light is projected in front of the retina, the higher the minus in the eye.
The main symptom of nearsightedness or myopia is difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. However, there are still other symptoms that can help you recognize this condition, including:
- Blurry or foggy vision of objects located at a distance.
- Tension headaches.
- Sufferers tend to squint to see objects that are far away.
- In children, myopia often makes it difficult for them to read the blackboard in class.
- Nearsightedness is often a congenital condition.
Getting to Know Astigmatism and Its Symptoms
While cylindrical eyes or astigmatism is a condition that occurs when defects in the cornea prevent images from focusing properly. When light enters the cylindrical eye, they are focused on several points on the retina at the same time, causing blurred vision. This condition is often caused by abnormal curvature in various parts of the cornea.
Astigmatism can develop at any age and generally causes symptoms such as:
- Blurred vision when looking at objects at a distance and near.
- Red eyes.
- Difficulty driving at night.
- Squinting to see clearly.
- Double vision.
- Tension headaches.
The Difference Between Nearsightedness and Astigmatism
So, the main difference between nearsightedness and astigmatism lies in their refractive errors, nearsightedness prevents proper focusing of objects at a distance, while astigmatism causes blurred vision at any distance. However, if observed further, there are still other differences between nearsightedness and astigmatism, namely:
- Myopia occurs when light is formed in front of the retina, not right on the retina. While in astigmatism, light focuses on several parts of the retina at once.
- Myopia is caused by an eye defect in the excessive curvature of the cornea. Astigmatism occurs when there is an abnormal curvature in some parts of the cornea.
- Myopia usually occurs in childhood and can disappear on its own by the age of 20. While astigmatism can occur at any age.
- Myopia causes people to squint to focus on seeing in the distance, while astigmatism causes people to squint to focus on any object.
- Myopia can cause strabismus, while cylindrical eyes can cause double vision.
- Myopia can cause eye strain, while astigmatism causes the eyes to become sensitive to light.
That’s the difference between nearsightedness and astigmatism that you need to know. If you have questions about these eye problems, just ask your trusted eye doctor directly.
