Farsightedness (Hyperopia), Explained
In this blog post we'll be discussing farsightedness, also known as hyperopia. We'll answer common questions about farsightedness such as what it is, what causes it, and what its symptoms are. By the end of this post you should have a good understanding of this common vision condition.
Farsightedness: A Quick Guide
Farsightedness is a condition where distant objects appear clearer than objects that are close up. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) has too little curvature. As a result, light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. This causes distant objects to appear blurry.
What Causes Farsightedness?
Farsightedness is usually genetic. It often runs in families. If you’re farsighted, your children have a greater chance of being farsighted too.
Sometimes farsightedness occurs because the eyeball grows too slowly during childhood. This type of farsightedness is called acquired hyperopia. It can be caused by a health problem, such as a thyroid disorder or diabetes.
If you’re farsighted, you may have trouble seeing objects that are close up. This can make reading and other close work difficult. You may also have headaches and eyestrain.
If you have mild farsightedness, you may not notice any symptoms. But if your farsightedness is severe, you may experience:
- Blurred Vision
- Difficulty reading or doing other close work
If you have mild farsightedness, you may not need treatment. But if your farsightedness is severe, you may need glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery to correct it. Refractive surgery changes the shape of your cornea so that light rays focus directly on your retina.
There are several types of refractive surgery, including:
Your doctor will recommend the best type of surgery for you based on your individual needs.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you’ll need to continue wearing them even after surgery. This is because your eyes may change over time and your vision may not be as stable as it was before surgery.
Wearing glasses or contact lenses is the best way to treat farsightedness in children. This is because their vision often changes as they grow, so surgery may not be a good option.
There’s no sure way to prevent farsightedness. But you can help reduce your risk by:
- Getting regular eye exams
- Eating a healthy diet
If you have a family history of farsightedness, you may be more likely to develop the condition. But there are no guarantees. Even if you don’t have a family history of farsightedness, you may still develop the condition.
The best way to prevent farsightedness is to get regular eye exams. This way, your doctor can catch the condition early and treat it accordingly.
Eating a healthy diet is also important for preventing farsightedness. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for your eyesight.