Hyperopia - The Symptoms, Causes and Who it Affects

Long-sightedness and farsightedness are the more widely used terms for hyperopia. It is caused by a defect in the ability of your eyes to focus. For many people suffering from long-sightedness they will find it challenging focusing on objects that are close to them, with the object seeming blurred. This will not impact on their ability to view distant items.

The images we see start out as light rays that go first through the cornea, the somewhat domed surface at the front of the eye, and then through the lens before being focused on the retina, which is the region at the back of our eyes. Finally the light rays are changed into electrical signals, which travel via the optic nerve to our brain, producing our vision.

What Happens When A Person Has Hyperopia

When a person has hyperopia their vision is created normally, with light rays going though the cornea and lens of the eye, but instead of the light rays becoming focused onto the retina, they are focused external of the eye, preventing the retina from getting a good image.

This might be caused if the shape of the eye is not long enough, from front to back, then the light rays won't be focused onto the retina. Instead the problem might be at the front of the eye with the cornea or lens. As the cornea and lens refract the light rays that enter our eyes, if they are incapable of directing the light at the right angle to focus on the retina then the vision will be impaired.

The Symptoms of Hyperopia

Farsightedness can impact people in various ways, depending on their life style and occupation. People with hyperopia might find themselves suffering with these everyday symptoms:

Sore and sensitive eyes can be a result of the continual effort to see nearby objects and to read and write. Constantly staring, seeking to bring objects into focus, will stop you from blinking, causing your eyes to get dry and feeling irritable.

Inability to stay focused on newspapers and magazines is one of the most commonly recognized symptoms of long-sightedness. Many individuals find themselves trying to hold things at arms length to try to bring the contents into focus.

Headaches and eye strain are common amongst someone with long-sightedness and can result because of the eyes being unable to focus on items that are close. Squinting is another way of dealing with farsightedness and can lead to headaches and tiring of the eyes.

Who Suffers From Hyperopia?

When thinking about hyperopia a lot of people automatically presume it is a condition connected to the elderly. While this is true, the long-sightedness that occurs in middle age is named presbyopia and is a consequence of decreased flexibility of the lens of the eye. This is a normal part of the ageing process, and is easily corrected.

Children may also suffer from farsightedness and some are even born with the condition. For some children their condition will improve as they age and the natural development of their eyes. Though if not treated, long-sightedness can result in other issues, such as lazy eyes.