Hyperopia – Farsightedness
Do you or your child suffer from headaches or blurry vision while reading or using a computer? Do you avoid activities that require focusing on nearby objects?
Hyperopia — also known as farsightedness — is a refractive error that causes near objects and images to appear out of focus. This common vision condition is typically diagnosed in childhood, and can make it challenging to read, write and use digital devices. Some children may “outgrow” hyperopia by the time they reach preschool, but some will continue to be farsighted into their school years and adulthood.
When farsighted people try to compensate for their farsightedness by making their eyes work harder, it often leads to eye strain, headaches and attention difficulties, and impacts their school or office performance.
In children, this additional focusing effort can cause their eyes to turn inward, which can lead to a permanent eye turn (strabismus) or a lazy eye (amblyopia). For this reason, it’s important to know the signs of hyperopia before it affects more than just your child’s near vision.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hyperopia?
Here are the most common signs of hyperopia:
- Near objects appear blurry
- Eye strain
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty reading
- Headaches
- Squinting
- Inward eye turn while trying to focus – in children
What Is the Main Cause of Hyperopia?
Hyperopia mainly has a genetic basis. It occurs when the eyeball is shorter than normal or the cornea is too flat, causing light to [focus] behind the retina, instead of directly on it. As a result, the eyes need to work harder to focus on nearby objects, which appear blurry, while distant objects usually remain clear.
Are You Born With Hyperopia?
Yes. Most babies are born with hyperopia because their eyes haven’t fully developed. As your child’s eyes grow and lengthen, their farsightedness should decrease — and usually by their second birthday it will have resolved completely. If it doesn’t, you can probably blame it on genetics.
Occasionally, complications in utero, a childhood illness or eye trauma can also result in high levels of farsightedness. Genetic conditions such as Down syndrome often result in high levels of hyperopia.
Does Hyperopia Get Worse Over Time?
A child with hyperopia will grow into an adult with hyperopia — and sometimes, farsightedness can worsen over time. However, there are ways to correct your refractive error, so you can maintain clear vision, even if your hyperopia worsens.
How Is Hyperopia Corrected?
Hyperopia is commonly corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
People with mild hyperopia may only need to wear their eyeglasses while performing near vision tasks like reading, doing homework or computer work. For more severe hyperopia, eyeglasses are usually necessary for all activities.
If your child is young, eyeglasses are the best choice until they’re mature enough to handle and care for contact lenses.
Good hygiene habits and a willingness to follow their [eye_doctor’s] instructions are crucial when it comes to wearing contact lenses, since the lenses sit directly on your child’s eyes and can pose an eye health risk if not handled correctly.
Laser refractive surgery is a popular method of hyperopia correction for adults over the age of 20 whose vision has stabilized. This corrective laser surgery offers clear vision, and in most cases, freedom from eyeglasses and contact lenses.
There are different types of laser surgeries — the most common being LASIK, PRK and SMILES — with each one offering unique benefits. Your eye doctor will discuss which type of laser surgery is most appropriate for you, following a thorough eye health exam and assessment of your corneal shape and thickness.
Recovery from laser refractive surgery typically takes several days, allowing you to return to your regular daily activities within a week or so.
Are Hyperopia and Age-Related Farsightedness (Presbyopia) the Same Condition?
No. Although both are forms of farsightedness, they are very different vision problems.
Hyperopia is generally present from birth and results from the eyeball being too short or the cornea being too flat, while presbyopia is an age-related condition that starts in a person’s 40s, when the lens of the eye begins to stiffen and lose flexibility, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects.
People with presbyopia often choose to correct their vision with:
- Bifocals
- Trifocals
- Progressive multifocals
- Office progressives
- Prescription reading glasses
Adults with cataracts can have their presbyopia corrected with cataract surgery, where the new lens may allow clear focus for close and distance vision.
If you suspect that your child has hyperopia or you’d like to learn more about how we can help correct your farsightedness, call Opthalmology Practice Name in LOCATION1 today to schedule an eye exam.
Our practice serves patients from CITY 1, CITY 2, CITY 3, and CITY 4, and surrounding communities.