Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, longsightedness or hypermetropia, is a defect of vision caused by an imperfection in the eye (often when the eyeball is too short. or when the lens cannot become round enough), causing difficulty focusing on near objects, and in extreme cases causing a sufferer to be unable to focus on objects at any distance. As an object moves toward the eye, the eye must increase its power to keep the image in focus on the retina. If the power of the cornea and lens is insufficient, as in hyperopia, the image will appear blurred.

Alternative Names of Hyperopia are: farsightedness, longsightedness or hypermetropia.

Complications of Hyperopia

The list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources for Hyperopia includes:

• Eyestrain
• Eye discomfort

Causes of Hyperopia

• Hyperopia is a refractive error, like astigmatism and nearsightedness (myopia). Having a refractive error means that light rays bend incorrectly into your eye to transmit images to the brain. Farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina, instead of directly on it. An abnormally flat cornea or short eye can cause the light to enter the eye this way.
• Hyperopia often runs in families. It is often present at birth; however, many children outgrow it.

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperopia

Symptoms of farsightedness may include:

• Headaches.
• Eye strain.
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing on nearby objects.
• Fatigue or headache after performing a close task such as reading.

If you experience these symptoms of hyperopia while wearing your glasses or contact lenses, you may need a new prescription.

Diagnosis of Hyperopia

Farsightedness can be easily diagnosed by a basic eye exam given by your eye doctor.

Treatments of Hyperopia

To correct hyperopia you must change the way the light rays bend when entering your eye. Glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery can all be used to correct farsightedness.

Depending on the extent of your farsightedness, you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses at all times, or only when you need to see objects up close, like when reading or sewing. With hyperopia, your prescription is a positive number, such as +3.00. The higher the number, the stronger your lenses will be. If wearing contacts or glasses isn't for you, refractive surgery can reduce or even eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The most common procedures to correct hyperopia include:

• PRK. During a photorefractive keratectomy a laser is used to flatten the cornea so that light rays can focus closer to, or even on the retina.
• LASIK. During laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, a flap is cut through the top of the cornea, a laser removes some corneal tissue, and then the flap is dropped back into place. LASIK is the most common surgery used to correct farsightedness.

An even newer procedure for correcting mild hyperopia is the implantation of plastic corneal rings called Intacs, which also alter the shape of the cornea. One advantage of the rings is that they can be left in place permanently, or they may be removed in case of a problem or adjusted should a prescription change become necessary. Talk to your eye doctor about which treatment is best for you.

Prevention of Hyperopia

• Farsightedness (hyperopia) cannot be prevented.
• Early screening can prevent years of eyestrain. Early screening can also identify other conditions such as strabismus or amblyopia that can harm vision.

When to seek Medical Advice

If you have a sudden change, loss, or disturbance in your vision, pain in your eye, or yellow or greenish discharge from your eye, see the topic Eye Problems, Noninjury to evaluate your symptoms. You may need immediate care.

Call your doctor for a routine eye exam at recommended intervals throughout life or if:

• A child or teenager has symptoms of farsightedness (hyperopia) or any complaints of blurry vision.
• Existing farsightedness in an adult suddenly becomes worse.
• You have a change in your ability to tolerate your contact lenses (for example, you can no longer wear them for usual periods of time).