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Hyperopia or hypermetropia (farsightedness) is a refractive error whereas light enters the eye and focuses behind the retina (light sensitive tissue of rods and cones in the back of the eye) instead of on the retina. Often the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat.2 This causes issues primarily with seeing clearly up close.
Hyperopia or hypermetropia (farsightedness) is a refractive error whereas light enters the eye and focuses behind the retina (light sensitive tissue of rods and cones in the back of the eye) instead of on the retina. Often the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat.2 This causes issues primarily with seeing clearly up close.
Hyperopia or hypermetropia (farsightedness) is a refractive error whereas light enters the eye and focuses behind the retina (light sensitive tissue of rods and cones in the back of the eye) instead of on the retina. Often the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat.2 This causes issues primarily with seeing clearly up close. In higher hyperopia, vision issues can be both up close and far away.1
The symptoms of Hyperopia include:
Hyperopia is usually genetic, but most children have hyperopia and will outgrow it. With lower hyperopia, children and young adults are usually able to focus (accommodate) to prevent blurred vision far away and up close.2
Hyperopia is diagnosed by an eye doctor with retinoscopy and/or manifest refraction. Retinoscopy is an objective test performed with a retinoscope, whereas an eye doctor shines a light into the eye and uses lenses to determine a glasses prescription by how the light moves within the pupil. Manifest refraction is a subjective measure of determining a patient’s prescription by giving a patient choices between different lenses, whereas the patient chooses based on clarity.
Glasses and contact lenses: refocus light entering the eye, so that it focuses on the retina.
Refractive surgery: most commonly LASIK or PRK, used to reshape the cornea.3
It is important to have eye exams as recommended by one’s eye care provider to assess ocular health and progression of hyperopia.
The content provided on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice and consultation. Please consult your eye care or health care provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Click here for our full legal disclaimer.
