Farsightedness

Far-sightedness, also known as long-sightedness, hypermetropia, and hyperopia, is a condition of the <a href="/facts/Eye/h3lbYU55">eye</a> where distant objects are seen clearly but near objects appear blurred. This blur is due to incoming light being focused behind, instead of on, the <a href="/facts/Retina/v0ISNX2S">retina</a> due to insufficient <a href="/facts/Accommodation_(vertebrate_eye)/UqjPBp3S">accommodation</a> by the lens. Minor hypermetropia in young patients is usually corrected by their accommodation, without any defects in vision. But, due to this accommodative effort for distant vision, people may complain of <a href="/facts/Eye_strain/k9oTCUuE">eye strain</a> during prolonged reading. If the hypermetropia is high, there will be defective vision for both distance and near. People may also experience <a href="/facts/Accommodation_(eye)/UqjPBp3S">accommodative dysfunction</a>, <a href="/facts/Binocular_vision/koERAQCV">binocular dysfunction</a>, <a href="/facts/Amblyopia/PRmvaG42">amblyopia</a>, and <a href="/facts/Strabismus/HzSXdF24">strabismus</a>. Newborns are almost invariably hypermetropic, but it gradually decreases as the newborn gets older.
There are many causes for this condition. It may occur when the axial length of eyeball is too short or if the <a href="/facts/Lens_(anatomy)/yWz7AdHV">lens</a> or <a href="/facts/Cornea/oKA6clQT">cornea</a> is flatter than normal. Changes in refractive index of lens, alterations in position of the lens or absence of lens are the other main causes. Risk factors include a family history of the condition, <a href="/facts/Diabetes/2xeHXbsI">diabetes</a>, certain medications, and <a href="/facts/Tumors/K0ytzmPz">tumors</a> around the eye. It is a type of <a href="/facts/Refractive_error/bcWcSg2N">refractive error</a>. Diagnosis is based on an <a href="/facts/Eye_exam/vcIUxDp8">eye exam</a>.
Management can occur with <a href="/facts/Eyeglasses/ER3sFKmJ">eyeglasses</a>, <a href="/facts/Contact_lenses/0nzxq5Rm">contact lenses</a>, or refractive corneal surgeries. Glasses are easiest while contact lenses can provide a wider <a href="/facts/Field_of_vision/xckE6fpm">field of vision</a>. Surgery works by changing the shape of the cornea. Far-sightedness primarily affects young children, with rates of 8% at 6 years old and 1% at 15 years old. It then becomes more common again after the age of 40, known as <a href="/facts/Presbyopia/SYtUhl2D">presbyopia</a>, affecting about half of people. The best treatment option to correct hypermetropia due to <a href="/facts/Aphakia/zd6eFGAC">aphakia</a> is <a href="/facts/Intraocular_lens/cCpALNCV">IOL</a> implantation.
Other common types of refractive errors are <a href="/facts/Near-sightedness/KSqGQPUH">near-sightedness</a>, <a href="/facts/Astigmatism/r6xCWw56">astigmatism</a>, and <a href="/facts/Presbyopia/SYtUhl2D">presbyopia</a>.

Farsightedness open-in-new

Farsightedness