Hyperopia

Treatment for Farsighted People

Hyperopia (better known as farsightedness) is a common vision problem experienced by 1 in 4 Americans. People who are farsighted have difficulty seeing objects that are close up; objects that are far away, however (such as road signs), are clear (hence, “far-sight”). Myopia can be corrected by glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperopia

As mentioned, farsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects that are close up. As a result, when a hyperopic individual is not wearing glasses or contact lenses, he/she may develop such symptoms as eyestrain, blurred vision (although this is not always the case), headache, and achy eyes. Fatigue may also result from simple tasks such a reading or using a computer that require use of intermediate and near vision. People who still experience these symptoms even with their glasses or contacts on may require a new prescription.

Causes of Hyperopia

There are two ways in which hyperopia can occur:

The eyeball is too short
The lens/cornea optical system of the eye is too weak

Figure: Hyperopia. Courtesy of EyeAtlas.com.

Both situations result in the focusing of light rays behind the retina. As a result, the image that forms at the retina is blurred. Luckily for people with hyperopia, we have the ability to accommodate, which effectively strengthens the optical system by increasing the focusing power of the crystalline lens when viewing near objects. As a result, farsighted people do not actually experience blurred vision. Instead, their eyes are working a lot harder than the eyes of a person with myopia (nearsightedness). For minor hyperopia, there is no need to correct with glasses or contacts because of the ability to accommodate to make images clear. However, children who have a high level of hyperopia are at risk of developing a permanent strabismus as a result of excessive accommodation. For this reason, it is extremely important that children visit their optometrist regularly.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) does tend to run in the family and usually begins to appear during childhood. In many cases, children begin with some degree of hyperopia, which lessens with age – in a process known as emmetropization (ie. progression towards perfect vision).

In adults over the age of 40, the need for glasses when viewing close-up objects is similar to hyperopia, but is actually known as presbyopia, wherein the lens inside the eye loses its flexibility. Presbyopia results from a loss of accommodation.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Hyperopia

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is determined in an eye exam. Your optometrist will determine your prescription and then whether or not it needs to be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgery is an option for many people with hyperopia. Discuss laser surgery options such as LASIK with your eyecare professional to determine if it is right for you.

How do you know if you have hyperopia? If you've got your prescription handy, take it out and have a look. Does the power begin with a plus (+) sign (ie. +2.00)? If so, then you have hyperopia. The higher the number associated with the plus sign is, the stronger the glasses that are needed. The details of a contact lens prescription are somewhat more detailed, involving the necessary curvature and diameter of the contact lenses that will fit your eyes. Learn more about how to read a contact lens prescription.

People who have a high amount of hyperopia are at risk for angle closure glaucoma, simply because the eyes of a farsighted person are smaller than normal. As a result, the drainage system is more at risk of being blocked. Learn more about glaucoma.

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