Hyperopia, or farsightedness is a condition where far vision is relatively clear, yet close vision is blurry. Roughly 25% of the population is affected by this refractive error, characterized by difficulty focusing on objects that are up close. In a normal visual system, light passes through the cornea and lens and comes into focus at the retina; in a hyperopic eye, light comes into focus behind the retina. This occurs for one of two reasons: either the patient's ocular axis is too short, or the corneal focusing power is too weak.
Like myopia, hyperopia is also an inherited condition. Most children are farsighted, yet they usually do not have experience blurry vision. Children's eyes are able to bend the light rays and place them directly on the retina when focusing. As long as the farsightedness is not too severe, hyperopic children will have clear vision for seeing objects at a distance and up close. As the eye grows and becomes longer, hyperopia lessens.
For correction of hyperopia, there are several different treatment options, and Benjamin Eye Institute offers the following treatments:
- Prescription glasses
- Contact lenses
- Laser vision correction with IntraLase
- Custom Cornea
Keep reading to learn more about astigmatism and treatment options available.