

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
Defect | Main Cause | Correction Method | Example |
---|---|---|---|
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?
2. How is myopia corrected in physics?
3. What is hypermetropia and how is it treated?
4. What is normal vision with correction?
5. Can one person have multiple eye defects at the same time?
6. What is presbyopia and how does it differ from hypermetropia?
7. What are the different types of vision defects and their causes?
- 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?
9. What are the symptoms of myopia, hypermetropia, and presbyopia?
10. Explain the ray diagrams for correcting myopia and hypermetropia.
11. What is the relationship between the power of a lens and its focal length in vision correction?





