Condition Basics What is farsightedness? People who are farsighted see things at a distance more easily than they see things up close. Close objects may look blurry. Farsightedness (hyperopia) is usually a variation from normal, not a disease. How it affects you may change as you age.
What causes it? Farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it (Figure 1) . This is caused by an eye that is too short, whose cornea (Figure 2) is not curved enough, or whose lens sits farther back in the eye than normal.
Farsightedness often runs in families. In rare cases, some diseases such as retinopathy and eye tumours can cause it.
What happens Farsightedness often starts in early childhood. But normal growth corrects the problem. If a child is still a bit farsighted when the eye has stopped growing (at around 9 years of age), the eye can usually adjust to make up for the problem. This is called accommodation
But as we age, our eyes can no longer adjust as well. Starting at about age 40, our eyes naturally begin to lose the ability to focus on close objects. This is called presbyopia
What are the symptoms? Symptoms of farsightedness can include:
Blurred vision, especially at night. Trouble seeing objects up close (Figure 3) . For example, you can't see well enough to read newspaper print. Aching eyes, eye strain, and headaches. Children with this problem may have no symptoms. But a child with more severe farsightedness may:
Have headaches. Rub their eyes often. Have trouble reading or show little interest in reading. How is it diagnosed? A routine eye exam by an ophthalmologist optometrist
How is farsightedness treated? Most farsighted people don't need treatment. Your eyes can usually adjust to make up for the problem. But as you age and your eyes can't adjust as well, you will probably need eyeglasses or contact lenses. (Glasses or contact lenses can help at any age if farsightedness is more than a mild problem.)
Surgery may be an option in some cases. Procedures to reshape the cornea, such as LASIK, can be done for milder cases of farsightedness. For severe farsightedness, surgery can replace the clear lens of your eye with an implanted lens.
If you are farsighted, get regular eye exams, and see your eye care specialist if you have changes in your vision.
Figure 1 - Farsightedness (hyperopia) Farsightedness, also called hyperopia, means that the eye can't focus on nearby objects. This is because the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat. In some cases of hyperopia, the eye can't focus on distant objects either. A person has hyperopia when light entering the eye is focused (called the focal point) behind the retina instead of directly on the retina.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 2 - Cornea, Lens, and Iris The iris is the coloured part of the eye. A circular muscle in the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye through the pupil, the black area in the centre of the iris.
The cornea is the outer clear, round structure that covers the iris and the pupil. The cornea directs light rays into the eye and helps focus them on the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye, providing sharp, clear vision.
The lens is located behind the iris and is normally clear. Light passes through the pupil to the lens. Small muscles attached to the lens can make the lens change shape, allowing the eyes to focus on near or far objects.
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
Figure 3 - View from a farsighted eye People who are farsighted see things at a distance more easily than they see things up close. If you are very farsighted, close objects may be so blurry that you can't do tasks such as reading or sewing.
How farsightedness affects you will likely change as you age.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
