Hyperopia is a refractive error that affects our vision. Only in Spain it has been detected that this visual problem affects 10% of the population. It is common for this refractive problem to be present from birth, which allows us to conclude that practically all children are born farsighted.
However, as the years go by, this refractive defect corrects itself naturally, although this is not always the case. If the child maintains the symptoms of farsightedness or they are not corrected, it can lead to strabismus or lazy eye.
Why does farsightedness appear?
The main symptom of hyperopia is the difficulty to see near objects well. This is due to the fact that the eye is smaller than normal and makes it difficult for the light passing through the eye, through the cornea and the crystalline lens, not to focus correctly on the retina but on a posterior point.
As for its causes, genetics is one of the main reasons for its development, since there are more possibilities of suffering from farsightedness when our parents are also farsighted.
In addition to genetics, there are other factors related to its appearance with eye surgery, corneal scarring or any other cause that may shorten the length of the eye or flatten the cornea.
What are the symptoms?
There are a series of symptoms that ophthalmologists recommend to consult an ophthalmologist:
- Difficulty seeing up close.
- Difficulty reading for long periods of time.
- Headache after several hours at the computer.
- Crossing lines in books.
- Poor vision during night driving.
- Visual fatigue.
What is the difference between myopia and hyperopia?
Both are refractive defects of the eye, although myopia has a much higher incidence level.
The main difference is that people with myopia have greater difficulty seeing distant objects well, while farsighted people have good distance vision but see near objects blurred. In the case of hyperopia, the focus is on the back of the retina, the opposite of myopia, since in this case the focus is in front of the retina.
In both cases the origin lies in the fact that the images are not well formed on the retina.
Diagnosis of hyperopia
The specialist will perform a complete eye examination, tests to evaluate refraction and visual tests with different lenses to check near and far vision. Drops are also used to dilate the pupil and examine the back of the eye.
Is there a treatment for farsightedness?
Hyperopia can be corrected by means of glasses or refractive surgery. At Vithas Eurocanarias Instituto Oftalmológico we study each case to offer the patient personalized treatment and the most appropriate treatment for each case.
In addition, we have the most advanced surgical technology to correct or minimize farsightedness.
Although laser surgery is the most commonly used option to correct refractive errors, we also have other techniques such as intraocular lens implantation (ICL).