WHAT IS HYPEROPIA? ( FARSIGHTEDNESS )
If you can see objects at a distance clearly but have trouble focusing well on objects close up, you may be farsighted. Hyperopia causes the eyes to exert extra effort to see close up by using one’s own accommodation. By viewing nearby objects for an extended period then symptoms like blurry vision, headaches and eyestrain may arise
WHAT CAUSES FARSIGHTEDNESS?
Hyperopia most commonly occurs because the eyeball is too short or when the cornea/lens having too little curvature. There does seem to be a tendency for farsightedness to be inherited, but there are other factors besides genetics that can lead to hyperopia
HOW DOES FARSIGHTEDNESS AFFECT SIGHT?
The sense of vision starts off when light enters transmits through the cornea and into the pupil. At this point it penetrates then through the lens and focuses on the point of the retina called the macula. The shape of the cornea, lens help bend (refract) light rays in a manner that allows light to be focused on the retina/macula. In comparison, if you are farsighted, the light rays focuses on a location behind the retina instead of being focused on the macula. As a result, instead of having a fine point of light being focused on the macula there is a disc-shaped area of light activating the area instead, thus causing blurry vision.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY FARSIGHTEDNESS?
Many people have a degree of farsightedness, however it is only a problem when it significantly affects your ability to see well or causes headaches or eyestrain.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Hyperopia is not always diagnosed in school eye-screenings because typically only distance vision is tested. A comprehensive eye healt examination will check both near and far vision necessary to diagnose any ametropia. By picking up early refractive error, one can prevent the progression of that individual from developing amblyopia/lazy eye.
HOW IS IT FARSIGHTEDNESS TREATED?
Eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually prescribed to treat hyperopia. The purpose of corrective lenses is to bend/refract light rays more sharply so that it will bring lights rays forward to focus on the retina.
