What is hypermetropia?

Hypermetropia (Farsightedness)

Hypermetropia, also known as farsightedness, is a common refractive error where a person can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects appear blurry. This occurs because the eye does not properly focus light onto the retina.

Causes:

• Shortened Eyeball: The most common cause is a shorter than normal eyeball. This means the light focuses behind the retina.
• Flatter Cornea: A flatter than normal cornea can also cause light to focus behind the retina.
• Weak Lens: A weak or less curved lens prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. This is more common with age.

Symptoms:

• Blurry vision when focusing on near objects.
• Eyestrain and fatigue when reading or doing close work.
• Headaches, especially after prolonged near work.
• Squinting to see clearly.
• In children, hypermetropia can sometimes lead to strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye).

Diagnosis:

Hypermetropia is typically diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam includes:

• Visual acuity test: Measuring how well you can see at different distances.
• Refraction test: Determining the lens power needed to correct your vision.
• Eye health evaluation: Checking for any other eye conditions.

Treatment:

The primary goal of treatment is to improve vision and reduce symptoms. Treatment options include:

• Eyeglasses: The most common and simplest way to correct hypermetropia. Corrective lenses bend the light to focus properly on the retina.
• Contact lenses: Another option for correcting vision, offering a wider field of view.
• Refractive surgery: Surgical procedures such as LASIK or PRK can permanently reshape the cornea to correct hypermetropia.