hyperopia

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near (Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through one object to another. Vision occurs when light rays are bent (refracted) as they pass through the cornea and the lens. The light is then focused on the retina. The retina converts the light-rays into messages that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these messages into the images we see.)

People experience hyperopia differently. Some people may not notice any problems with their vision, especially when they are young. For people with significant hyperopia, vision can be blurry for objects at any distance, near or far.

Why does it occur?

Hyperopia develops in eyes that focus images behind the retina instead of on the retina, which can result in blurred vision. This occurs when the eyeball is too short, which prevents incoming light from focusing directly on the retina. It may also be caused by an abnormal shape of the cornea or lens.

What are the symptoms?

If you have myopia, you have trouble seeing things far away, but you can see nearby things clearly. This is why myopia is commonly called nearsightedness.

If you can see well enough to read what’s on your laptop or in a book, but you struggle to see what’s on the television or a movie screen, you may be nearsighted. Sometimes people with undiagnosed myopia will have headaches and eyestrain from struggling to clearly see things in the distance.

How Is Hyperopia Treated?

The most common way to treat hyperopia is to prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. The treatment depends on your lifestyle. Here in South Louisiana we tend to live a lifestyle that involves rolling up our sleeves and getting our hands….think hunting, fishing, and eating boiled crawfish. In this case, refractive surgery such as LASIK or i-LASIK would be better suited to our way of life as it aims to permanently change the shape of the cornea which will improve refractive vision. LASIK in Lake Charles  is performed in the office by Dr. Falgoust at Falgoust Eye Medical & Surgical. Laser correction of certain visual problems is the most technologically advanced method available today to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The Lake Charles outpatient procedure can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by gently reshaping the front surface of your eye with a cool, ultraviolet beam of laser light.

It is estimated that over one million laser procedures have been performed in 52 countries around the world.

Copyright © July 2016 The National Eye Institute (NEI) ®