Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 5 Months ago
The terms "far point" and "near point" are used in the field of optometry to describe the distance at which an individual can see objects clearly without the need for corrective lenses.
The far point, also known as the "distance point," is the farthest point at which a person with normal vision can see objects clearly. In other words, it is the point in the distance where light rays entering the eye are focused to form a clear image on the retina without any additional effort or accommodation. For individuals with normal vision, the far point is considered to be at infinity, meaning they can focus on objects that are extremely far away.
On the other hand, the near point, also referred to as the "reading point" or "near focus," is the closest point to the eyes at which an individual can bring an object into sharp focus without any aid. It represents the minimum distance at which the eye can see clearly. The near point tends to vary from person to person and typically increases with age due to the natural aging process of the eye, known as presbyopia. As people age, the crystalline lens loses its flexibility, making it harder to focus on nearby objects, and therefore increasing the near point distance.
To correct vision at the near point, such as for reading or other close-up tasks, individuals may require additional optical assistance in the form of reading glasses, bifocals, or multifocal lenses. These corrective lenses allow the person to bring the near point closer to their eyes, enabling clear vision at a close range.