Optical condition

Cause

Treatment options

Short-sightedness (Myopia)

• You have blurry distance vision.

• You see near objects clearly.

• Your distance vision seems clearer if you squint.

Eye is too elongated from front to rear, or the cornea has too much curvature.

Light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Degrees of severity:

Mild (Low):
< -3.00 diopters
Moderate:
-3.00 to -6.00 diopters
Severe(High):
-6.00 to -9.00 diopters
Extreme (Super High):
> -9.00 diopters

Prescription glasses or contact lenses contoured to compensate for the curvature of the cornea, or laser refractive surgery to re-shape the cornea to reduce its curvature.

In some cases of severe or extreme (high or super high) myopia, a non-laser refractive surgery technique may be advised.

Long-sightedness (Hyperopia)

• You have trouble seeing near objects.

• Your distance vision is relatively clear, but it becomes less clear as you get older.

• You may notice eye fatigue when reading.

Eye is too short from front to rear, or the cornea has insufficient curvature.

Light focuses "behind" the retina, instead of directly on it.

Degrees of severity:

Mild (Low):
< +2.00 diopters
Moderate:
+2.00 to +4.00 diopters
Severe (High):
+4.00 to +6.00 diopters
Extreme (Super High):
> +6.00 diopters

Prescription glasses or contact lenses contoured to compensate for the curvature of the cornea, or laser refractive surgery to re-shape the cornea to increase its curvature. In some cases, a non-laser refractive surgery technique may be advised.