You may have hyperopia in both eyes or just one.
People can correct hyperopia symptoms by wearing glasses or contacts, or getting laser surgery to correct their vision.
While farsightedness can run in families, it can also develop without a family history.
FG Trade Latin / Getty Images
FG Trade Latin / Getty Images
Hyperopia vs.
Myopia
Hyperopiais a condition characterized by seeing faraway objects clearly and having blurry vision for close objects.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is characterized by seeing close objects clearly and having blurred vision for far-away objects.
Hyperopia: Causes and Symptoms
Hyperopia is a refractive error.
That means its triggered by how light moves through the eye.
If youre farsighted, the light lands behind your retina, rather than on it.
Thats what causes close-up objects to be blurry.
The common causes are:
Farsightedness runs in families, and there is some genetic risk.
However, its possible to have farsightedness even if no one in your family has the condition.
About 5% to 10% of Americans are farsighted.
Objects up close are often blurry.
This can make reading or using a computer difficult.
Just how closely objects become blurry depends on how farsighted you are.
Some people who are severely farsighted have difficulty seeing both objects that are near and far away.
Others who have very mild farsightedness might not notice any issues with their vision.
Hyperopia and Age
Babies are born with hyperopia, and most children have some degree of farsightedness.
Unlike other age-related eye conditions, farsightedness often improves as people age.
As the eyeball grows, farsightedness usually resolves, but some people will still experience farsightedness as adults.
Eye Exam for Hyperopia
If you are experiencing blurry vision while reading, you might have hyperopia.
Other symptoms include:
If you experience these symptoms, you should get aneye exam.
After the exam, they can diagnose you with farsightedness.
That results in clearer vision.
Who Is a Candidate for Surgery?
Some people with hyperopia can have their vision surgically corrected.
Kids with hyperopia should stick to their treatments, wear their glasses regularly, and see an optometrist.
Untreated hyperopia can lead to the development of alazy eye(amblyopia) or additional vision loss.
Even if your child doesnt report blurry vision, seeing an ophthalmologist is important if they are farsighted.
Reading is often difficult for people who are farsighted.
Its important to treat farsightedness, especially in children.
This can make it difficult to read or work.
Many children are born farsighted and outgrow the condition with age.
However, its always important to talk with an eye specialist if you or your child experience blurred vision.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Farsightedness: What is hyperopia?
National Eye Institute.Farsightedness (hyperopia).
Baylor Medicine.Are you a good candidate for laser surgery?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Will my vision get worse if I dont wear my glasses all the time?
American Optometric Association.School performance bridled by poor vision, visual disorders.
