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All About Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is when the eye sees objects far away better than objects close up. Hyperopia is a type of refractive error where the eye does not bend light correctly. This results in light rays focusing behind the retina instead of directly on it since the eyeball is shorter or the cornea is flatter than normal.

Eye with Hyperopia Healthy Eye

Hyperopia Symptoms

  • Blurred vision
  • Eyestrain
  • Fatigue or headaches from doing close-up tasks
  • Headaches
  • Squinting

Hyperopia Causes

Just like other refractive errors, hyperopia is typically inherited. It is frequently present at birth, but most children outgrow it. Farsightedness can also increase with age, with at least 50% of people over the age of 65 experiencing it to some degree.

Who Gets Hyperopia?

Many children are born with hyperopia, but they grow out of it as their eyeball lengthens. Those with hyperopia have a short eyeball that never grew to the normally rounded shape. It can be detected with a comprehensive eye exam. Hyperopia should not be confused with presbyopia, which has similar symptoms but comes with natural aging.

How to Correct Hyperopia

After an eye exam, the eye care specialist will give treatment options. Hyperopia can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses, contacts, or refractive surgery. If you have hyperopia, your glasses or contact lens prescription will begin with a positive (+) number. The higher the number, the stronger the prescription. Aspheric high-index lenses are light and thin, even with strong prescriptions, making them a great option for people with farsightedness. Based on the extent of your condition, you may only need to wear glasses or contact lenses while performing close-up work such as reading.

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Amblyopia is a vision development disorder when one eye has better vision than the other. This disorder is commonly referred to as “lazy eye” due to one eye having a lower quality of vision than the other.

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