Nearsighted vs. Farsighted | What’s The Difference?

What’s the difference between “nearsighted” and “farsighted”? Here are some simple definitions with examples:

Nearsighted:

Can see things that are close better than things that are far away. Things that are far away are blurry or difficult to see. 

• I could see everything in my book clearly, but I couldn’t see what the teacher was writing on the board. My classmate told me I’m nearsighted.
• She wears contact lenses because she’s nearsighted.
• Sarah, if you can’t read that sign over there, you’re definitely nearsighted.

 NOTE: People also say “shortsighted” (UK).

Farsighted:

Can see things that are far away better than things that are close. Things that are close are blurry or difficult to see. 

• Thirty years ago, I could read books without wearing glasses. Now I’m farsighted so I take my reading glasses with me everywhere I go.
• The teacher asked all the farsighted students to sit in the back of the class.
• Sam is farsighted so it was easy for him to spot the cheetah in the tree.

 NOTE: People also say “longsighted” (UK).

Conclusion

People who are nearsighted can see things that are close (near) more clearly than things that are far away. People who are farsighted can see things that are far away more clearly than things that are close.