Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. It occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.

Is nearsightedness Plus or minus?

A “plus” (+) sign in front of the number means you are farsighted, and a “minus” (-) sign means you are nearsighted. These numbers represent diopters, the unit used to measure the correction, or focusing power, of the lens your eye requires.

Is farsighted or nearsighted?

Farsightedness — known as hyperopia — is the opposite of nearsightedness. Farsighted vision is usually caused by an eyeball that's too short, causing light to focus behind the retina. Farsightedness makes close objects look blurry, but high levels of hyperopia can cause objects at all distances to appear out of focus.