Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, is a refractive error currently affecting around 5% to 10% of the U.S. population. Over the years, it has been a major cause of concern for both children and adults. At Guilford Eye Center, we believe that having a good understanding of this condition is one way to prevent its increasing prevalence. Your reliable eye care center answers some frequently asked questions about it.
Q: What Causes Farsightedness?
A rigid cornea or an irregularly short eyeball may cause light rays that enter your eyes to go beyond the retina, settling behind instead of directly on it. This may lead to problems with bending and focusing the light on your retina, interfering with the image translation cycle.
Q: Who Is At-Risk?
If you have any relatives who use eyeglasses or contact lenses when looking at objects up-close, they may have hyperopia. This increases your risk of being farsighted as well. Those with inborn irregularities with their eye structures are more likely to have this problem as well.
Q: What Are the Common Manifestations?
Hyperopia causes difficulties seeing nearby objects while distant figures are seen clearly. This is why you may have a hard time sewing, cooking or doing other close work. You may also prefer holding your books at least an arm’s length away from you. You may have frequent headaches, nausea and eye fatigue as well.
Q: How Is It Managed?
We may prescribe using eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve your visual acuity, particularly when viewing nearby objects. We may also evaluate if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. This involves modifying your corneal shape for better eye sharpness. It is a lasting refractive error solution, which also reduces your dependence on wearing corrective eyewear.
Q: How Is It Different From Presbyopia?
Although hyperopia and presbyopia both cause difficulties seeing nearby objects, the affected structures and mechanisms are different. The latter happens when the lenses become rigid due to increasing age, failing to focus light rays toward the retina. The former, on the other hand, involves corneal and eyeball infirmities, which cause light to bypass the retina.
If you have any additional questions about farsightedness, call us at (336) 387-6777, or complete our form. We serve Greensboro and nearby NC communities.
