If you find the world looks a bit blurry, you’re not alone. Many people experience unclear vision, and two common reasons for this are myopia and astigmatism. While both of these conditions impact how clearly you see, each has its own causes and characteristics.
Learning what sets myopia and astigmatism apart can help you make sense of your own eyesight and why it’s important to partner with a trusted eyecare practice. The main difference is that myopia primarily blurs your distance vision, while astigmatism can cause blurriness and distortion at all distances.
What Are Refractive Errors?
Myopia and astigmatism are both types of refractive errors. A refractive error is an eye condition where the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing correctly on your retina. (The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that sends visual signals to your brain.)
How Your Eye Shape Affects Sight
To capture a sharp, clear picture of the world, the f your eye focuses light onto a tissue called the retina that converts light to signals for your brain. If the lens of your eye is too long or the surface of your eye is uneven, then it doesn’t focus light correctly, which results in blurry vision.
A Closer Look at Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Myopia, often called nearsightedness, is a condition that makes faraway objects look blurry while things up close remain clear. Myopia usually occurs when the eyeball grows a little too long from front to back. It can also occur if the cornea—the clear front surface of your eye—has too steep of a curve.
Common Signs of Myopia
- Difficulty seeing distant objects like road signs or a presentation screen
- Squinting to see things that are far away
- Eyestrain from trying to focus
- Headaches
Can Myopia Change Over Time?
Myopia often appears in childhood and can progress as the eyes continue to grow through the teen years. In some cases, significant myopia can be associated with other eye health concerns later in life. This is why regular check-ups are helpful for monitoring vision changes.
Get to Know Astigmatism
Astigmatism causes blurry or distorted vision at all distances. Astigmatism happens when your cornea or the lens inside your eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball. This irregular shape bends light inconsistently rather than focusing it onto a single, sharp point on the retina.
Common Signs of Astigmatism
- Blurry vision at all distances
- Eyestrain or general discomfort in your eyes
- Headaches
- Trouble with night vision or seeing streaks from lights
- Squinting to try to make images sharper
- Frequent eye rubbing, which can irritate the cornea and may worsen astigmatism over time
Can You Have Both Myopia & Astigmatism?
Yes, it’s common for people to have both conditions at the same time. However, astigmatism and myopia are separate issues related to your eye’s shape and length. A comprehensive eye exam can determine exactly what is affecting your vision and to what degree.
Myopia vs. Astigmatism: A Quick Comparison
While both are refractive errors, their impact on your vision is distinct.
How They Affect Your Vision
Myopia: Blurs your distance vision.
Astigmatism: Blurs or distorts your vision at all distances.
The Shape of Your Eye
Myopia: Your eyeball is too long or your cornea is too steeply curved.
Astigmatism: Your cornea or lens has an irregular, non-symmetrical shape.
Vision Solutions & Management Options
Both myopia and astigmatism are manageable conditions.
Glasses & Contact Lenses
Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common ways to correct both myopia and astigmatism. These lenses work by redirecting light so that it focuses properly on your retina. For astigmatism, we often recommend toric contact lenses, which are specially designed to account for the eye’s unique shape.
Myopia Control for Kids
For children with progressing myopia, we can explore options to help manage and slow its development. These approaches can include specialty contact lenses, prescription eye drops, or myopia control eyeglasses. The goal here is to slow the progression of myopia and protect your child’s future vision.
Keep Your Vision Clear
At Mint Eyecare, we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your eye care. We can perform a comprehensive eye exam to measure your eyes precisely and discuss the best options for your unique needs. Contact us to schedule your appointment today and discover a fresh approach to vision health.
