What is long-sightedness?

Long-sightedness is a refractive condition of the eye that is the opposite of short-sightedness.

Differences between long-sightedness and presbyopia.

Long-sightedness is a condition where the distance vision is relatively better than the near vision, and this is in young people to distinguish it from what’s known as presbyopia in older people. So young people whose distance vision is relatively better than their near vision are called long-sighted, and they need to wear glasses, particularly for close work. Presbyopia, in contrast, is something that happens in middle age, and where gradually the lens of the eye becomes less flexible. Because it’s less flexible, its focusing power is reduced, so gradually, slowly but surely, people in middle age notice that their reading vision is reduced.

First of all, they cope with this by holding any reading objects or their mobile phone further and further away. Eventually, their arms are too short and they require reading glasses. Many have several pairs of reading glasses because they don’t carry them around with them and they’re always looking for them.

So it can be quite confusing. Long-sightedness is a condition seen in young people that is present throughout life, where the near vision is relatively worse than the distance vision. As opposed to presbyopia, which is an aging condition of the lens of the eye, seen in middle age and beyond, but again, the near vision is relatively worse than the distance vision.

More about Robert Morris

Rob Morris is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at The Grange Eye Consultants. His special expertise is in cataract and refractive surgery, including Refractive Lens Exchange, and adult squint. He has over 30 years of experience in treating people with eye problems. Rob Morris founded Grange Eye Consultants to manage the increasing demand for more complex refractive surgery. He leads clinical trials investigating novel eye treatments. He is currently Medical Director at Optegra Eye Hospitals.