Farsightedness
Having Trouble Seeing Up Close?
Farsightedness, or Hyperopia, causes blurred vision at all distances, but near greater than distance. This refractive error occurs when light focuses behind the retina, instead of on it, caused by a flat cornea and/or short eye. Farsightedness may reduce task performance quality or detract from activity enjoyment.
Symptoms include:
- Nearby objects appear blurred, especially at night
- Frequent squinting
- Eye Strain— burning/aching eyes
- Eye discomfort or headache after prolonged close activity performance — reading, writing, drawing, etc.
Complications
Farsightedness may lead to:
- Reduced quality of life. Limited vision may detract from enjoyment of daily activities.
- Eyestrain. Uncorrected hyperopia may lead to eyestrain, causing headaches.
- Impaired Safety. Safety may be jeopardized, especially if operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment.
Treatment: Freedom from Glasses
Farsightedness is treated with laser vision correction or Refractive Lens Exchange.
Book your consultation with Dr. Conlon today.
Farsightedness FAQ
Q: What role does refraction play in vision?
A: Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through one medium to another. In our eyes, light rays are refracted as they pass through the cornea and the lens, focusing on the retina. The retina then converts the light into messages that are sent through the optic nerve to be interpreted by the brain.
Q: What is farsightedness (hyperopia)?
A: Farsightedness occurs when light rays entering the eye are refracted behind the retina, rather than precisely on the retina, which is needed to produce clear vision. This refractive error can occur with a flat cornea or because the eye is too short. Farsightedness is not intuitive because the natural focusing system in the eye can compensate for uncorrected farsightedness. Farsightedness affects near vision initially but aging can cause this error to affect distance as well. This shift occurs because aging individuals lose flexibility and thus focusing power in their natural lens.
Q: What is the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness?
A: Nearsightedness and farsightedness are both refractive errors, meaning they are both eye abnormalities that affect the eye’s ability to focus light onto the retina. Farsightedness is caused by eye shortness, causing the light to focus behind the retina. Nearsightedness occurs when light entering the eye falls short of the retina.
Farsightedness blurs close vision more than distance vision.
Nearsightedness blurs far vision but near vision is clear.
Q: How is farsightedness diagnosed?
A: Farsightedness is diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam, particularly while testing refraction. A series of lenses are placed in front of the eyes, using a phoropter. The optometrist uses a retinoscope, a handheld lighted instrument, to measure how the light focuses in your eye through each lens. The lens power is then refined based on your input regarding the clearest lens. This testing will allow the optometrist to determine your degree of refractive error. Thorough testing is important as farsightedness can be overlooked during a sight test or autorefraction.
Q: How common is farsightedness?
A: Farsightedness is a common refractive error. Approximately, half of glasses-wearers do so because of farsightedness.
Q: What treatment is available for farsightedness?
A: Your particular treatment will depend on a number of factors, including your condition’s severity. Glasses and contact lenses are available options. Dr. Conlon provides laser eye surgery for mild corrections. For larger prescriptions, Dr. Conlon can perform refractive lens exchange for farsighted patients.
Q: Can you outgrow farsightedness?
A: Farsightedness is common in children as their eyeballs are too short. Often, the eyeball lengthens as a natural part of the growth process, called emmetropization, thus alleviating the farsightedness.