Vision 101 FAQ: Common Vision Problems Explained

Blurry vision is common—and often confusing. This Vision 101 FAQ explains the most common vision problems in clear, simple terms.

🔹 General Vision Questions

What is the most common vision problem?
The most common vision problems are nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. These are called refractive errors and are corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

Why is my vision blurry?
Blurry vision usually happens when light doesn’t focus correctly on the retina. This is often due to myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or a combination of these conditions.

🔹 Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Why can I see up close but not far away?
This is usually caused by nearsightedness, also called myopia. The eye focuses light in front of the retina, making distant objects blurry while near vision remains clear.

Is nearsightedness getting more common?
Yes. Myopia rates are increasing worldwide, especially in children, due to genetics, increased screen time, and less outdoor activity.

🔹 Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Why do my eyes feel tired even though I see well?
Farsighted eyes often work harder to focus, even if vision seems clear. This constant effort can cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.

Can farsightedness affect reading in children?
Yes. Children with uncorrected hyperopia may avoid reading, lose focus, or struggle in school—even if they don’t complain about blurry vision.

🔹 Astigmatism

What does astigmatism mean in simple terms?
Astigmatism means the eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball, causing light to focus unevenly and vision to appear blurry or distorted.

Why is night driving harder with astigmatism?
Astigmatism can cause glare, halos, and streaking around lights, making night driving more difficult—especially without proper correction.

🔹 Glasses & Prescriptions

What do the numbers on my glasses prescription mean?
The prescription shows how your eyes focus light. “Sphere” measures nearsightedness or farsightedness, while “Cylinder” and “Axis” correct astigmatism.

Can a small prescription really matter?
Yes. Even small amounts of uncorrected refractive error can cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigue—especially with screens.

🔹 Presbyopia

What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is an age-related change where the eye gradually loses its ability to focus up close. It typically becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s and affects nearly everyone.

Is presbyopia the same as farsightedness?
No. Presbyopia is caused by reduced flexibility of the eye’s focusing system with age, while farsightedness (hyperopia) is related to the shape of the eye and is often present from childhood.

Why do I suddenly need reading glasses?
As the eye ages, it becomes harder to focus on near objects. Reading glasses help compensate for this normal, age-related change.