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Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Hyperopia, unlike normal vision, occurs when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry close vision and occasionally blurred distance vision as well. Usually this condition is undetected until later in life because the young eye is able to compensate for the hyperopia by focusing the internal lens of the eye.

 The Eye

Symptoms of hyperopia:

  • Blurry close vision
  • Occasional distance blur
 The Eye Symptom

Causes of hyperopia:

  • Heredity

Diagnosing hyperopia:

Many people are not diagnosed with hyperopia without a complete eye exam. This is especially critical in children. School screenings typically do not detect this condition because they test only for distance vision. It is critical for children to get their eyes examined by an eye doctor, not just screened by a pediatrician or school, at as early an age as possible.

Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether the eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. Your eye doctor will also check eye coordination and muscle control, as well as the eyes' ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how the eyes see.

Treating hyperopia:

Glasses and contact lenses are the standard treatment for hyperopia. Other types of refractive errors include: nearsightedness and presbyopia..