Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a vision problem that makes it difficult to see nearby objects clearly. It occurs when the eyeball is slightly shorter than normal or the cornea has an abnormal curvature.
These changes cause light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in blurry near vision. Hyperopia can also cause eye strain, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
In most cases, hyperopia is hereditary and is passed from parents to their children. It is usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses, although an ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to reshape the cornea.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of hyperopia include:
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Blurry vision when looking at objects up close
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Eye strain or eye pain
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Headaches
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Difficulty concentrating
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A feeling of pressure around the eyes
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Watery or red eyes
According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, refractive errors that cause blurry vision in children can interfere with normal visual development and lead to amblyopia, also known as lazy eye.
Hyperopia may also contribute to strabismus, especially in children, and make everyday activities more difficult or increase safety risks, such as when driving.
Nearsighted vs farsighted
With myopia (nearsightedness), distant objects are more difficult to see because light focuses in front of the retina. With hyperopia (farsightedness), nearby objects are more difficult to see because light focuses behind the retina.
However, both conditions can cause blurry vision, eye strain, and headaches, especially after activities that require prolonged visual focus.
Hyperopia vs astigmatism
Hyperopia occurs when light focuses behind the retina, usually making objects up close appear blurry.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular curvature, causing light to focus unevenly. This can make vision blurry or distorted at both near and far distances.
The main difference is that hyperopia primarily affects near vision, while astigmatism can affect vision at any distance.
Confirming a diagnosis
Hyperopia is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist based on the symptoms reported by the patient and the results of an eye exam.
The eye exam may include vision tests using letters or symbols and equipment that measures refractive error. In some cases, the ophthalmologist may dilate the pupils to evaluate the eyes more accurately.
Main causes
Hyperopia is usually hereditary and can be passed from parents to their children. However, it can also develop because of differences in how the eye forms or problems affecting the cornea or lens.
It may also occur as a result of certain health conditions, such as diabetes or tumors, or the use of some medications, including anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.
Treatment options
According to the National Eye Institute, hyperopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Treatment depends on its severity and the person's visual needs and may include:
- Glasses: Glasses are the most common treatment and may be recommended for both children and adults.
- Contact lenses: Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses for correcting hyperopia and may be preferred in some situations, including when hyperopia affects only one eye.
- Refractive surgery: Refractive surgery may be an option for adults with a stable vision prescription. It uses a laser or other technology to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Because vision can change over time, prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses may need to be updated periodically.
Is hyperopia curable?
Hyperopia does not have a definitive cure, but it can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Although surgery can provide long-lasting correction, it does not permanently prevent other vision changes from developing over time.
In some children, mild hyperopia may decrease as the eye grows, although it does not always disappear completely.