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Defects of Vision and Their Correction in Physics

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Myopia, Hypermetropia & Presbyopia: Definitions, Causes, and Corrections

The topic of defects of vision and their correction is important in physics and Biology, because it helps us understand how the human eye forms clear images, what causes blurry vision, and how to correct common eye problems using optics principles. This topic is essential for students preparing for Boards, NEET, and JEE, and it also builds understanding for real-life vision care.


Understanding Defects of Vision and Their Correction

Defects of vision and their correction refers to the various problems that prevent the eye from forming a clear image directly on the retina. The primary vision defects are myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long-sightedness), and presbyopia (age-related near vision problem). This concept is closely related to topics like the human eye, lenses, and refraction of light.


Formula or Working Principle of Defects of Vision and Their Correction

The correction of vision defects relies on the lens formula: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u and the principle of refraction through lenses. The main idea is to use additional lenses (convex or concave) to ensure that light rays focus correctly on the retina. For myopia, a concave lens is used; for hypermetropia, a convex lens is used. The power of the correcting lens is calculated using P = 1/f (in dioptres).


Here’s a useful table to understand defects of vision and their correction better:


Defects of Vision and Their Correction Table

DefectMain CauseCorrection MethodExample
Myopia Eye lens too curved or eyeball too long Concave lens Teenager can’t see the blackboard clearly
Hypermetropia Eye lens too flat or eyeball too short Convex lens Elderly person can’t read a book up close
Presbyopia Loss of lens flexibility with age Bifocal/multifocal/convex lens Adult needing reading glasses

Worked Example / Practical Experiment

Let’s solve a basic problem about defect of vision correction step by step:


1. A student can only see up to 50 cm clearly (myopia). Their far point is 0.5 m. What power of lens is needed to correct their vision to infinity?

2. Using the lens formula for myopia correction: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, here v = ∞, u = –0.5 m (negative as it’s a virtual object).

3. 1/f = 0 – (–2) = 2, so f = –0.5 m.

4. Power, P = 1/f (in meters) = 1/–0.5 = –2D.

Conclusion: A concave lens of power –2D corrects the student’s myopia.


Practice Questions

  • Define myopia, hypermetropia, and presbyopia with examples.
  • What formula is used to find the power of the correcting lens?
  • Draw a ray diagram for the correction of hypermetropia.
  • What is the main difference between normal vision and defective vision?
  • How do concave and convex lenses help in vision correction?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Mistaking which lens corrects which defect (concave for myopia, convex for hypermetropia).
  • Not using sign conventions carefully in the lens formula.
  • Confusing presbyopia with hypermetropia in exam answers.
  • Forgetting to express focal length in meters when calculating power.

Real-World Applications

Defects of vision and their correction have real-world relevance in eye care, designing prescription glasses, and understanding why people need contact lenses or LASIK. Optometrists apply these concepts to help patients see clearly. These principles also help in making compound lenses and advanced optical instruments. Vedantu helps you link physics with biology by explaining these practical applications.


In this article, we explored defects of vision and their correction—what they are, why they occur, and how to solve them with physics formulas and lenses. Keep learning with Vedantu to master physics concepts and their real-world uses. For deeper study, read about the human eye, myopia correction, hypermetropia correction, and presbyopia.


FAQs on Defects of Vision and Their Correction in Physics

1. What are the defects of vision and their correction?

Defects of vision occur when the eye cannot properly focus light on the retina, leading to blurry vision. Common defects include myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness), and presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). Corrections involve using corrective lenses – concave lenses for myopia and convex lenses for hypermetropia and presbyopia – to refocus light onto the retina.

2. How is myopia corrected in physics?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is corrected using a concave lens. A concave lens diverges light rays before they enter the eye, effectively lengthening the focal length and allowing the image to focus correctly on the retina. The power of the lens is calculated based on the individual's refractive error.

3. What is hypermetropia and how is it treated?

Hypermetropia, or farsightedness, occurs when the eye's focal length is too short, causing distant objects to appear blurry. It's corrected using a convex lens. A convex lens converges light rays, shortening the focal length and enabling proper image focus on the retina. The required lens power depends on the degree of hypermetropia.

4. What is normal vision with correction?

Normal vision, also known as emmetropia, is the ability to see objects clearly both near and far without any corrective lenses. 'Normal vision with correction' refers to individuals who have vision defects (like myopia or hypermetropia) that are corrected to emmetropia using appropriate lenses, enabling clear vision.

5. Can one person have multiple eye defects at the same time?

Yes, it's possible for a person to have more than one eye defect simultaneously. For example, someone might have both myopia and astigmatism. In such cases, a combination of lenses or more complex corrective measures might be necessary to achieve clear vision.

6. What is presbyopia and how does it differ from hypermetropia?

Presbyopia is an age-related vision defect characterized by a gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects. While both presbyopia and hypermetropia result in difficulty seeing close objects, presbyopia is specifically caused by the aging and stiffening of the eye's lens, unlike hypermetropia, which can result from various factors, including genetic predisposition.

7. What are the different types of vision defects and their causes?

The main types of vision defects include:
  • Myopia: Caused by an elongated eyeball or refractive error.
  • Hypermetropia: Caused by a shortened eyeball or refractive error.
  • Presbyopia: Caused by the aging and loss of elasticity of the eye lens.
  • Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.

8. How do I solve numerical problems involving vision defects and lens power?

Solving numericals on vision defects often involves using the lens formula (1/f = 1/v - 1/u) and the lens power formula (P = 1/f), where f is the focal length, v is the image distance, and u is the object distance. Remember to use the sign conventions correctly for concave and convex lenses. The power of the corrective lens is directly related to the refractive error.

9. What are the symptoms of myopia, hypermetropia, and presbyopia?

Myopia symptoms include blurry distance vision. Hypermetropia symptoms include blurry near vision. Presbyopia symptoms include difficulty focusing on near objects, often developing with age.

10. Explain the ray diagrams for correcting myopia and hypermetropia.

For myopia correction, a ray diagram shows a concave lens diverging parallel rays of light to focus them on the retina. For hypermetropia correction, a ray diagram illustrates a convex lens converging parallel rays to focus them on the retina. Accurate ray diagrams are crucial for understanding the correction mechanisms.

11. What is the relationship between the power of a lens and its focal length in vision correction?

The power (P) of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length (f): P = 1/f. In vision correction, the power of the lens required is directly related to the refractive error of the eye. A higher refractive error necessitates a lens with higher power (shorter focal length).