Hyperopia -Farsightedness, is a common vision problem affecting about 25% of the U.S. population. Hyperopia sufferers can see distant objects well, but have difficulty seeing up close objects.

Hyperopia Symptoms

Farsighted people might have headaches or eyestrain, and find themselves squinting or fatigued doing anything which is close-range. If you still experience symptoms such as these with glasses or contact lenses, your eye prescription most likely needs to be updated.

What Causes Hyperopia?

Farsightedness is typically when the eyeball is shorter than normal so the light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, rather than on it. Many children are born with hyperopia, and some outgrow the problem as the eyeball lengthens with normal growth.

Some confusion exists between hyperopia and presbyopia, since both conditions involve difficulty with up close vision. Presbyopia has a different cause and occurs after age 40.

Hyperopia Treatment

Eyeglasses or contact lenses almost always can correct farsightedness by changing the way light rays bend as they enter the eyes. Your glasses or contact lens prescription will begin with plus numbers, +2.50, +4, etc. when you are farsighted.

Depending on the amount of farsightedness you have, you may need to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time, or only during reading, or work.

If you work prolonged periods on a on a computer screen or do other close-up work for long periods consult with your eye doctor for special work prescription glasses.

Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, is another option for correcting hyperopia.