Hyperopia

Hyperopia (also known as farsightedness) is a common type of refractive error where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near. However, people experience hyperopia differently. Some people may not notice any problems with their vision, especially when they are young. For people with significant hyperopia, vision can be blurry for objects at any distance, near or far.

Causes

Hyperopia is a result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it. It occurs when the eyeball is too short, which prevents incoming light from focusing directly on the retina. It can also be caused by an abnormal shape of the cornea or lens.

Symptoms

People with hyperopia often have difficulty concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects. They may experience eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after close work, blurry vision, especially at night, and aching, burning eyes.

Diagnosis

Hyperopia can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on vision, will be conducted to determine how the eyes focus light and to determine the power of any optical lenses needed to correct the reduced vision.

Treatment

Hyperopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses to change the way light enters your eyes. There are also surgical procedures that can change the shape of the cornea.

See also

• Myopia
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia

References

Hyperopia Resources
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