Hyperopia, unlike normal vision, occurs when the cornea is too flat in relation to the length of the eye. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry close vision and occasionally blurred distance vision as well. Usually this condition is undetected until later in life because the young eye is able to compensate for the hyperopia by focusing the internal lens of the eye.
Symptoms of hyperopia:
- Blurry close vision
- Occasional distance blur
Causes of hyperopia:
- Heredity
Diagnosing hyperopia:
Many people are not diagnosed with hyperopia without a complete eye exam. This is especially critical in children. School screenings typically do not detect this condition because they test only for distance vision. It is important that any child experiencing difficulty with their vision, learning, or deviation of their eye alignment, to have an evaluation with an ophthalmologist.
Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether the eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and at near. A visual acuity test will determine ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. Your eye doctor will also check eye coordination and muscle control, as well as the eyes' ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how the eyes see.
Treatment of hyperopia:
Glasses and contact lenses are the standard treatment for hyperopia. Other types of refractive errors include: nearsightedness and presbyopia.
Refractive Surgery (LASIK, PRK, refractive lensectomy) can be preformed to correct hyperopia.