Senior Eye Health

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Hyperopia, unlike normal vision, occurs when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry close vision and occasionally blurry distance vision as well. Usually this condition is undetected until later in life because the young eye is able to compensate for the hyperopia by contracting the internal lens of the eye.

Light focuses beyond the retina causing
blurry close vision
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Symptoms of hyperopia:

• 	Objects in the distance appear clearly

  Blurry close vision
• Occasionally, blurry distance vision

Causes of hyperopia:

• Heredity

Diagnosing hyperopia:

Many people are not diagnosed with hyperopia without a complete eye exam. School screenings typically do not detect this condition because they test only for distance vision. Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether your eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. Your eye doctor will also check your eye coordination and muscle control, as well as your eyes' ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how your eyes see.

Treatment of hyperopia:

Glasses and contact lenses are used by many for the temporary treatment of hyperopia. However, there are a number of vision correction procedures that can surgically reduce or eliminate hyperopia.

Other types of refractive errors include: nearsightedness and presbyopia.