Definition: A refractive error of the eye in which objects in the distance are usually seen clearly, but close objects are blurred.
Causes: Hyperopia results from an improper focus of light on the retina. This improper focus may be due to the corneal shape or the length of the eye. The eye focuses light with the cornea and the lens. If the cornea is too flat, the light will not come to a crisp focus by the time it reaches the retina. The same situation can also occur if the eye is too short.
Symptoms: Farsighted persons may notice that distant objects are focused well, but that nearer objects are blurred. However, young people with lower amounts of farsightedness may have no symptoms at all. When the eye is young, the lens of the eye can change shape to overcome the problem of farsightedness and focus light crisply on the retina, a process called accommodation. As the person ages and reaches presbyopia, the lens looses its ability to change its focus and the farsightedness may become unmasked.
Treatment: Farsightedness is easily treatable with glasses and contact lenses. Refractive surgery procedures, such as LASIK, are also an option for some people with farsightedness. Younger people and children may require no treatment at all until middle age is reached.
Prognosis: With glasses, contacts or refractive surgery, most farsighted patients can enjoy good vision for all of their lives.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsighted individuals have shorter than normal eyes and have problems seeing up-close before the age of 40. The light of distant objects focuses behind the retina and these images are blurred. Eventually, their distance vision also starts to blur as they age. If you didn't have up-close vision problems until you reached your 40's, you may be experiencing presbyopia. Differentiating between the two can be confusing.
