(Hyperopia)
Hyperopia is a refractive state of vision and common in many people. Being able to see objects clearly at a distance but blurry up close, is the condition more commonly know as farsightedness.
WHAT IS FARSIGHTEDNESS?
Farsightedness occurs when the eyeball is too short of the cornea too flat. This causes incoming light rays to focus behind the retina instead of onto the retina. This can cause nearby objects to appear blurry.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
- Difficulty focusing on nearby objects
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Eye strain
- Fatigue or headache after reading
- Difficulty with night vision
- Itchy or dry eyes
- Halos or glares
- Light sensitivity
This condition can be prevalent during childhood. Children may not always realise their vision is blurry or be able to communicate any symptoms they experience, so it’s good to have them screened for the condition at the various childhood developmental stages.
Farsightedness can progress from affecting only near vision to both distance and near vision later in life, as the lens in the eye loses flexibility. Symptoms may be more subtle than those of nearsightedness. An inability to focus on objects or even being unable to read, are signs that a person may be experiencing farsightedness.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Treatment options may include glasses or contact lenses.
If this condition is severe and left untreated, it can lead to other problems such as last or crossed eyes.