If your child is squinting to see the board at school, or you find yourself holding a menu at arm’s length, you may be dealing with one of the most common vision conditions: myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Both affect how your eyes focus light, but they impact daily life in very different ways. At VisionQuest Eyecare, we help parents, kids, and adults understand these conditions, treat them effectively, and protect long-term eye health.
What Is Myopia? (Nearsightedness)
Myopia makes distant objects look blurry while close-up vision remains clear. It occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina.
Common signs in children:
- Squinting to see the board at school
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books close to the face
- Complaints of blurry distance vision
- Avoiding sports or outdoor activities that require clear distance vision
Why it matters: Myopia often starts in childhood and can progress quickly, especially during growth spurts. Left unmanaged, it increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
What Is Hyperopia? (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia makes nearby objects appear blurry while distant vision remains clearer. It happens when the eyeball is too short from front to back or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina.
Common signs in children:
- Trouble with reading or homework
- Eye rubbing, headaches, or fatigue after close-up tasks
- Difficulty maintaining focus on near work
- Avoiding activities like drawing, puzzles, or crafts
Common signs in adults:
- Needing to hold reading materials farther away
- Headaches or eye strain during computer work
- Blurry vision at normal reading distances
Why it matters: Hyperopia in kids can affect school performance and may lead to eye strain or crossed eyes if untreated. In adults, uncorrected hyperopia can cause ongoing discomfort and reduced work efficiency.
How We Diagnose Myopia and Hyperopia
At VisionQuest Eyecare, your exam goes beyond the basic vision chart. We use advanced tools to measure:
- Visual acuity (how clearly you see at various distances)
- Refraction (your exact lens prescription)
- Axial length (the length of your eye from front to back—a critical measurement for detecting and monitoring myopia progression)
- Overall eye health through detailed imaging
Accurate diagnosis is essential for creating a treatment plan that fits your age, lifestyle, and vision goals.
Treatment Options for Myopia and Hyperopia
For Children with Myopia
We are proud to be Indiana’s only Treehouse Eyes partner, offering advanced myopia management proven to slow or even halt progression. Options may include:
- Specialized soft or gas-permeable contact lenses
- Low-dose atropine eye drops
- Lifestyle recommendations to protect vision
For Children with Hyperopia
Treatment often involves prescription glasses or contact lenses to improve near vision and reduce eye strain. Early correction helps prevent learning delays and other vision-related issues.
For Adults
Both myopia and hyperopia can be corrected with:
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Refractive surgery (in eligible patients)
- Multifocal or progressive lenses for those with additional age-related vision changes
Why Parents and Patients Choose VisionQuest Eyecare
- Exclusive Myopia Control Expertise – Indiana’s only Treehouse Eyes provider
- Comprehensive Care for All Ages – Pediatric to adult vision solutions
- Advanced Diagnostic Technology – Including axial length measurement for precision monitoring
- Convenient Hours for Families – Evening appointments until 7 PM on Mondays and Thursdays
- Two Locations – Greenwood and Fishers for easy access
We don’t just correct your prescription—we protect your long-term vision.
Take the Next Step Toward Clearer Vision
Whether you’re concerned about your child’s ability to see the board or you’re tired of squinting at your phone, the right diagnosis and treatment can change everything.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today and give yourself, or your child, the gift of clear, comfortable vision.
Dr. Chris Browning is a Greenwood native, who has been serving the community through glaucoma care and myopia management. He studied at Indiana University Bloomington and the Indiana University School of Optometry. As he has severe nearsightedness himself, Dr. Browning is passionate about helping others to achieve excellent vision.