Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a type of refractive error that results in clear distance vision and blurry close-up vision. Everyone experiences hyperopia differently — some people have mild farsightedness, which allows them to see objects that are somewhat far away, while people with severe farsightedness may only see objects from a great distance away.
What is Hyperopia?
Hyperopia is a common eye condition that develops when light that enters the eye does not bend (refract) properly. This causes light to focus incorrectly on the retina, which results in blurry close-up vision. Other examples of refractive errors include myopia, or nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
What Causes Hyperopia?
The eye has two parts that work together to focus images so you can see clearly:
- The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye.
- The lens is a naturally clear structure that sits behind the iris, the colored part of your eye.
In an eye that is shaped normally, both the cornea and lens have a smooth curvature. In an eye with hyperopia, however, the eyeball is shorter than normal, or the cornea has an irregular curvature. This results in light being improperly refracted as it enters the eye. Images are focused behind the retina instead of on the retina, which causes blurry close-up vision.
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperopia
People who are farsighted may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Squinting to see objects clearly
- Eyestrain, burning, or aching in or around the eye area
- Headaches after long periods of reading, writing, or working on a computer
- General eye discomfort
- Fatigue
If you experience these signs or symptoms, it’s important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor. Farsightedness that is not corrected can be dangerous — you can put your health and safety at risk, especially while driving, playing sports, or operating heavy machinery.
A qualified eyecare specialist can determine the degree of your farsightedness and recommend options to help improve the quality of your vision.
Patients with a history of health problems such as diabetes or glaucoma may be advised to schedule more frequent eye exams, as such conditions can result in more severe eye problems.
Hyperopia Treatment Long Island
There are several effective treatment options for hyperopia:
Glasses or Contacts
Corrective eyewear such as glasses or contacts are the most common method for treating hyperopia. Both options help to precisely refocus light onto the retina, which allows you to see objects clearly up-close.
Eyeglasses are available with high-index lenses, which offer a thinner, lighter eyewear option, while additional features such as anti-reflective coating or photochromic lenses offer protection against glare and UV rays from the sun. Contact lenses are similar, with options for daily wear, extended wear, astigmatism, and more.
LASIK
LASIK eye surgery is a safe, effective refractive procedure to correct hyperopia. First, a board-certified LASIK surgeon uses a highly precise laser to create a micro-thin flap on the surface of the cornea. The laser then sculpts the underlying corneal tissue to correct the degree of hyperopia, which results in clear vision.
PRK
In contrast to LASIK, PRK does not require the creation of a corneal flap during surgery. Instead, the laser removes the outermost layer of the cornea and reshapes the underlying tissue, allowing light to accurately focus on the retina. Since the eye heals quickly on its own, the cornea repairs itself within a few days of surgery.
Schedule an Appointment
At Stahl Eyecare Experts, our full-service optical shop provides custom eyewear and contact lenses to suit your unique lifestyle and eyecare needs. Our team of board-certified eye surgeons also offer premium PRK or LASIK in Long Island and Manhattan. Contact us to discuss your hyperopia treatment options today!
