Hyperopia is a refractive error that causes the eyes to have difficulty properly refracting light into a single point when viewing images. Also referred to as farsightedness, the condition causes patients to have difficulty seeing nearby objects. Hyperopia is most common among infants and affects one in four children aged one. Its prevalence reduces into adulthood, and most cases are reported among Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and African Americans. At Modern Eyes Optometry in Carlsbad, we diagnose and treat this condition to provide you with the clearest possible vision.
Causes of Hyperopia
The condition occurs when the cornea is too flat or the eye is shorter than normal. Light rays focus beyond the retina, near objects to appear blurred. Other hyperopia patients have abnormally shaped lenses or cornea, causing the light entering the eye to get focused beyond the retina instead of on its surface. This difference causes nearby objects to look blurry.
Hyperopia is inherited. However, eye exams show that kids hardly experience blurred vision when focusing. This is because their eyes can bend the light rays and direct them to the retina. As their eyes grow, the condition lessens.
Hyperopia Symptoms
A basic eye exam will show the following symptoms:
- Nearby objects appearing blurry
- Squinting your eyes to see clearly
- Eye discomfort or headache after performing close tasks
- Eyestrain accompanied by aching or burning around the eyes
Diagnosing Hyperopia
Our eye doctor may diagnose hyperopia during a general eye exam in which you will perform a vision test that involves reading a chart across the room. If the test shows hyperopia, our eye doctor will use a retinoscope to determine how light reflects on your retina. Our optometrist also uses a phoropter to measure the extent of your refractive error.
Treatment
If the vision test shows hyperopia, our optometrist will recommend corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. Corrective lenses help refocus light rays compensating for any abnormalities in your eyes. Eyeglasses also have a special lens coating that protects your eyes from UV rays. If the condition isn’t corrected using the two remedies, you may need vision correction surgery like LASIK as part of the treatment. The procedure improves your vision by reshaping the eye’s front surface or the cornea to adjust your eye’s focusing ability.
Contact Our Eye Doctor in Carlsbad for Hyperopia Treatment
If you believe you are suffering from hyperopia, schedule an eye exam at Modern Eyes Optometry today at (760) 678-0008.
