Why do some people see better at a distance while others see better up

Perché alcune persone vedono meglio da lontano e altre da vicino?

The ability to focus on objects is not the same for everyone: some people see perfectly at a distance but struggle with close-up reading, while others can read even the smallest letters yet have difficulty seeing what’s happening a few meters away.

These differences are not random: they depend on how light is focused inside the eye and how the crystalline lens, the natural lens that controls focus, behaves. Understanding why these variations in vision exist helps clear up many doubts and explains what really happens inside the eye. In this article, we explain in simple terms what it means to be nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic, and why these conditions affect the way we see objects up close or at a distance.

How the Eye Focuses: A Matter of Geometry

Clear vision is achieved when the light entering the eye is focused precisely on the retina, the membrane that converts light into signals sent to the brain. When this balance is perfect, we speak of emmetropic vision, meaning “natural” sight without the need for correction.
However, in most people, the eye is not perfectly symmetrical. Its shape may be slightly longer or shorter than normal, or the curvature of the cornea may not be perfectly regular. These are tiny variations, but enough to cause the light to focus in front of or behind the retina rather than directly on it.
This is exactly where the main visual defects arise.

Nearsightedness: Seeing Well Up Close, Poorly at a Distance

Nearsightedness occurs when light is focused in front of the retina. This usually happens because the eye is slightly longer than normal or because the cornea is too curved. People who are nearsighted see near objects very clearly, but distant objects appear blurred.

Typical signs of nearsightedness include:

Difficulty reading distant signs or text
Squinting to focus
Eye strain while driving or in the classroom

Nearsightedness often appears at a young age and can develop until around 20–25 years, when it often stabilizes.

Farsightedness: Seeing Well at a Distance (But Struggling Up Close)

Farsightedness is exactly the opposite of nearsightedness: light is focused behind the retina. This usually happens because the eye is slightly shorter than normal or because the crystalline lens does not have enough focusing power.
People with farsightedness see distant objects clearly, but struggle with objects up close. In young people, however, the lens often compensates for the effort, hiding the defect… until visual fatigue becomes noticeable.

Typical symptoms include:

Eye burning and fatigue while reading
Difficulty concentrating on nearby tasks
Headaches after prolonged near work

With age, the lens’s ability to compensate decreases, and the defect becomes more evident.

Astigmatism: When Distance Doesn’t Matter

Astigmatism is a vision defect related not to distance, but to the shape of the cornea, which is not perfectly spherical.
Instead of focusing light on a single point, an astigmatic eye produces a distorted focus, resulting in blurred vision both up close and at a distance.

People with astigmatism may notice:

Difficulty seeing details, such as letters or numbers
The need to move objects closer or farther away
Distorted perception of lines

Astigmatism is often associated with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Presbyopia: The Natural Change After Age 40

Even people who have always had good vision can start to struggle with reading after the age of 40: this is presbyopia, a natural process linked to the loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens.
Focusing on close objects requires more effort, which is why many people start holding their phones farther away or using bright light to read.

Presbyopia is not a disease, but an inevitable physiological change that can be corrected with:

Reading glasses
Progressive lenses
Specialized office or computer lenses

Conclusion: Seeing Clearly at All Distances Is Possible

Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are common and easily correctable conditions. The important thing is to identify the defect accurately and choose the solution that best fits your lifestyle.

A comprehensive eye exam allows you to understand not only the refractive error, but also how your eyes work together and what is needed to achieve clear vision in every situation.

At ILOP Optical Centers, every eye assessment is personalized, attentive, and focused on your daily well-being.
Whether you see better up close or at a distance, our goal is to provide the right lenses to help you regain the clarity you deserve.
Book a comprehensive eye exam at ILOP today – the difference is clear… really.