Hyperopia

Hyperopia is the technical term for farsightedness. People with hyperopia see distant objects well, but have difficulty focusing on close-up objects, including reading materials. Hyperopia occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, rather than directly on it.

Roughly one in four people have hyperopia. The condition often runs in families, and symptoms worsen with age. One half of all people over the age of 65 have hyperopia.

Symptoms of hyperopia include headaches, eyestrain, difficulty concentrating or focusing on nearby objects and fatigue or headache after performing a close task, such as reading or working on the computer. A basic eye exam can diagnose hyperopia.

Hyperopia can be corrected with glasses or contacts, which change the way light bends behind the eyes. Depending on the severity of the condition, people with hyperopia may need to wear glasses just to read or all the time. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, is an option often used to correct hyperopia. In fact, LASIK is the most common surgery performed to reduce hyperopia.

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