# Myopia and Hyperopia

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/myopia-and-hyperopia

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Nail Sönmez | **Date:** 2026-09-06

> **Summary:** Myopia and hyperopia are refractive errors caused by the eye's inability to focus light at the right point on the retina. Myopia blurs distance vision and hyperopia blurs near vision; both can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser treatment.

## Quick Facts
- **Operation Duration:** 5-10 Minutes
- **Recovery Time:** Back to daily life in 1-2 days with iLASIK and SMILE, 3-4 days with surface laser (LASEK/PRK)
- **Anaesthesia Type:** Topical Eye Drops

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## What Are Myopia and Hyperopia?
Both are refractive errors caused by imbalances in the refractive power of the eye and by differences in the structure of the eyeball.
- **Myopia (nearsightedness):** The eyeball is longer than normal, so light is focused in front of the retina and distant objects look blurred. Close activities such as reading or computer use are usually comfortable.
- **Hyperopia (farsightedness):** The eyeball is shorter than normal, so light is focused behind the retina and near objects look blurred; with mild hyperopia distance is usually seen clearly. As the degree increases, distance vision also blurs; in high hyperopia, both near and far may not be seen clearly.

## Being Both Myopic and Hyperopic
Having myopia in one eye and hyperopia in the other is called antimetropia; anisometropia is the general term for any difference in prescription between the two eyes. One eye struggles at distance and the other up close, so the condition needs individual, specialised solutions from the ophthalmologist.

## How Is Myopia Diagnosed?
- Eye examination with a distance vision test on a Snellen chart; failing to read the expected rows suggests myopia.
- Retinoscopy and autorefractometry to measure how the eye refracts light and the power of lens needed.

## Symptoms of Hyperopia
- Difficulty with near tasks such as reading books or phone screens.
- Eye strain, headaches and difficulty focusing on close objects.
- In children and young adults the eyes work harder to compensate, which can cause strain, eye muscle spasms and in some cases double vision.
- Redness, watering and inward shift of the eye may also occur.
- It often goes unnoticed in childhood because young eyes compensate automatically; symptoms become more pronounced with age, so early diagnosis matters.

## Understanding Your Prescription
A prescription is usually valid for two years.
- **Sphere (SPH):** Main correction for short- or long-sightedness. Minus means difficulty seeing far, plus means difficulty up close; a larger number means a stronger prescription.
- **Cylinder (CYL):** Correction for astigmatism; blank means no astigmatism.
- **Axis:** Direction of the astigmatism, an angle between 0 and 180 degrees.
- **Addition (ADD):** Extra power for near vision, usually needed after 40, added on top of the distance prescription.
- **Prism:** Helps the eyes align; only present for double vision or a squint.

**Laser suitability by prescription:**
- **ReLEx SMILE PRO:** Myopia up to −10.00
- **iLASIK (Femto-LASIK):** Myopia up to −10.00; Hyperopia up to +5.00
- **LASEK / PRK (No Touch):** Myopia up to −6.00; Hyperopia up to +3.00

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is myopia?**
A: A visual impairment in which light is focused in front of the retina due to the shape of the eye, so distant objects appear blurred.

**Q: What is hyperopia?**
A: A visual impairment in which light is focused behind the retina, so close objects appear blurred; as the degree increases, distance vision also becomes blurred.

**Q: Can myopia or hyperopia be corrected without surgery?**
A: Glasses or contact lenses correct them without surgery, but only temporarily; they do not provide a permanent solution as surgical treatment such as laser does.