Hyperopia, better known to the general public as farsightedness, is when an individual can see distant objects clearly but has great difficulty seeing objects up close. This common visual condition is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it.
Common Causes/Risk Factors of Farsightedness
• The eyeball may be too small.
• The cornea is not curved enough.
• The lens sits farther back in the eye than normal.
• Focusing power of the eye may be too weak.
• If a family member is farsighted, you are more likely to be farsighted yourself.
• In rare cases, diseases – such as retinopathy and eye tumors – can cause farsightedness.
Signs and Symptoms of Farsightedness
• Of course, nearby objects may appear blurry
• Aching Eyes
• Blurred vision / blurry vision / you need to squint to see clearly
• Crossed eyes (strabismus)
• Eye strain
• Headaches while reading
If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at your earliest convenience. Any change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Because the hyperopic eye is smaller than average, all the structures in the eye are crowded together. This can lead to crowding or narrowing of the anterior chamber drainage channel and is one of the main causes of narrow angle glaucoma and acute angle closure glaucoma. If you, or someone you care about is farsighted, please make sure your eye care professional checks the anterior chamber angle for narrow angles. This can be an important warning sign to help us prevent acute angle closure glaucoma.
Treatment of Farsightedness
Farsightedness is most commonly treated with glasses or contact lenses. However, surgery is an option for those individuals who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses.
To determine your best course of action, discuss your specific situation with your eye doctor. He/she will be able to better explain the risks and benefits of surgery as compared to wearing glasses or contact lenses.
To learn more about Farsightedness (Hyperopia) please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.
Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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