Hyperopia
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones do not come into proper focus. It occurs when light entering your eye through the lens on the front surface (the cornea) is not focused correctly onto the back of the eye (the retina). It is most commonly caused by an eyeball that is too short but can also occur when the front surface (the cornea) is too flat. You can think of it like a projector that is set too close to a screen and results in an out of focus image.
Common signs of farsightedness include difficulty concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects or reading, eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after close work, aching or burning eyes, as well as irritability or nervousness after sustained concentration.
Common vision screenings, often done in schools, are generally ineffective in detecting farsightedness because children have strong focusing muscles and can often "cheat" on the screening test without even realizing it. A comprehensive eye examination and refraction (measurement of prescription) will include testing for farsightedness.
Farsightedness ranges from 0.00 (none) to +6.00 (the worst we usually see). Less than +1.50 is usually considered a mild amount, while +4.00 to +6.00 is considered a high amount and usually results in thick eyeglasses without using thinner lighter weight lens materials (like high index or polycarbonate)
In mild cases of farsightedness, your eyes may be able to compensate without the need for corrective lenses. However with higher amounts of farsightedness, eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed to refocus images properly onto the back surface of the eye. LASIK surgery can correct mild amounts of farsightedness and is an option for some patients.
Common signs of farsightedness include difficulty concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects or reading, eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after close work, aching or burning eyes, as well as irritability or nervousness after sustained concentration.
Common vision screenings, often done in schools, are generally ineffective in detecting farsightedness because children have strong focusing muscles and can often "cheat" on the screening test without even realizing it. A comprehensive eye examination and refraction (measurement of prescription) will include testing for farsightedness.
Farsightedness ranges from 0.00 (none) to +6.00 (the worst we usually see). Less than +1.50 is usually considered a mild amount, while +4.00 to +6.00 is considered a high amount and usually results in thick eyeglasses without using thinner lighter weight lens materials (like high index or polycarbonate)
In mild cases of farsightedness, your eyes may be able to compensate without the need for corrective lenses. However with higher amounts of farsightedness, eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed to refocus images properly onto the back surface of the eye. LASIK surgery can correct mild amounts of farsightedness and is an option for some patients.