What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia is a common type of refractive error known as farsightedness, or “sight at a distance.” Distance vision is unaffected, but it is difficult to see up close for tasks like reading.

Hyperopia is an eye focusing disorder, not an eye disease.

What causes hyperopia?

Hyperopia occurs when the eyeball is too short or the dome of the cornea is too flat.

As a result, the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina. Images are focused behind the retina instead of on the retina. This causes near objects to appear blurred.

What are symptoms of hyperopia?

Signs and symptoms of hyperopia can vary from person to person.

Common signs of hyperopia include difficulty concentrating and focusing on near objects, eye strain, squinting, headaches, and eye fatigue after performing close work.

Who is at risk for hyperopia?

Hyperopia can affect both children and adults. Children whose parents have hyperopia are more likely to inherit the condition.

How is hyperopia diagnosed?

An eye care professional can diagnose hyperopia through a comprehensive eye exam.

Several tests and procedures may be used to examine your eyes. Depending on the doctor and the number of tests required, a comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more. All tests are important to fully evaluate vision and eye health.

During your comprehensive eye exam the doctor may use a retinoscope to shine light into your eyes to see how it reflects off your retina. Then, the doctor will use an instrument called a phoropter to measure the amount of refractive error you have to properly prescribe corrective lenses.

How is hyperopia treated?

Hyperopia can be treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Depending on the severity, glasses or contacts may need to be worn at all times or just for certain activities like reading or working on the computer.

Eyeglasses or contacts are the most common method for correcting hyperopia. They work by refocusing light onto the retina for clear vision.

Refractive surgery can also be an option to correct hyperopia.

Refractive surgeries aim to permanently reshape the cornea to better focus light onto the retina. This can decrease or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

There are many types of refractive surgeries and options that should be discussed with an eye care professional.

The most appropriate method of correction depends on your eyes and your lifestyle. You should discuss with your doctor to decide what will be most effective for you.

What type of lens corrects hyperopia?

A plus-powered lens is used to correct hyperopia because it forces light to come to a focal point sooner.

A plus lens is made up of two prisms placed base to base. It can also be known as a convergent lens or biconvex lens.

During your comprehensive eye exam the results from the phoropter are written as a prescription. On a farsighted prescription, the first number (“sphere”) will be preceded by a plus (+) for the type of lens. The stronger the lens the more farsighted you are.

All refractive errors like farsightedness are measured in units called diopters that indicate the strength of the lens.

Can hyperopia be cured naturally?

Natural vision correction is a hot topic among eye doctors. Natural correction is the belief that you can improve vision with eye exercises, relaxation techniques, vitamins or pills.

However, there is not adequate scientific evidence to suggest that these methods can prevent or cure farsightedness.

What is the difference between hyperopia and presbyopia?

Presbyopia and hyperopia are both common refractive errors that make seeing close-up objects difficult. Both conditions tend to develop as people get older.

Although similar in nature, presbyopia and hyperopia can be distinguished by their cause.

Presbyopia usually occurs around age 40 when the crystalline lens of the eye begins to harden and can no longer focus properly. The accommodation reflex is affected which makes it difficult to transition from focusing on far-away to near objects.

Presbyopia is usually treated with bifocals or progressive lenses.

Hyperopia is caused when an irregular shaped eye does not properly focus light onto the retina. Hyperopia is treated with plus-powered lenses to refocus light onto the retina.

It is important for individuals with refractive errors to schedule regular eye examinations to monitor the health of their eyes and maintain up-to-date prescriptions.