Farsightedness

Overview

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a common vision condition in which you can see distant objects clearly but have difficulty focusing on objects that are close. The degree of farsightedness influences your focusing ability, and people with severe farsightedness may only be able to see objects that are far away clearly. Farsightedness is often present at birth and tends to run in families. It can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, or through surgery. Symptoms of farsightedness may include nearby objects appearing blurry, the need to squint to see clearly, eyestrain, and general eye discomfort or headaches after performing close tasks such as reading or writing.

Understanding the disease

Symptoms

The symptoms of farsightedness may include nearby objects appearing blurry, needing to squint to see clearly, experiencing eyestrain, including burning eyes and aching in or around the eyes, and general eye discomfort or a headache after performing close tasks such as reading, writing, computer work, or drawing for a time.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for developing farsightedness include:

1. Age: Farsightedness typically occurs when the eyeball is shorter than normal, causing light to focus behind the retina. This condition is more common as people age, and almost everyone experiences some degree of farsightedness after the age of 40.
2. Family history: Farsightedness tends to run in families, so if one or both of your parents are farsighted, you may be more likely to develop the condition as well.
3. Genetics: Certain genetic factors can contribute to the development of farsightedness.
4. Other medical conditions: Being farsighted or having certain diseases, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cardiovascular diseases, can increase your risk of premature farsightedness in people younger than 40.
5. Drug use: Certain drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics, have been associated with premature presbyopic symptoms, which can contribute to farsightedness.

Development

Farsightedness (hyperopia) can develop due to an eyeball that is shorter than normal or a cornea that is curved too little. This results in light rays not being refracted properly, causing a blurry image for nearby objects. Farsightedness is usually present at birth and tends to run in families. Uncorrected farsightedness can lead to crossed eyes in some children and may reduce the quality of life, as it can make daily tasks and activities more challenging.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Triage

If your farsightedness is causing difficulty in performing tasks or if it is detracting from your enjoyment of activities, you should see an eye doctor. If your degree of farsightedness is pronounced enough that you can't perform a task as well as you wish, or if your quality of vision detracts from your enjoyment of activities, it's advisable to visit an eye doctor. Regular eye exams are recommended every one to two years, starting at age 40, for those at high risk of certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma. For those without symptoms, at low risk, and not wearing glasses or contacts, an initial exam is recommended at age 40.

Diagnosis

To diagnose farsightedness, a basic eye exam is conducted, which includes a refraction assessment and an eye health exam. During the refraction assessment, your doctor will determine if you have vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia. They may use various instruments and ask you to look through several lenses to test your distance and close-up vision. Your eye doctor may also put drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils for the eye health exam, enabling them to see wider views inside your eyes.

Management and Treatment

Complications

Potential complications of uncorrected farsightedness include reduced quality of life, eyestrain, impaired safety, and financial burden. People with severe farsightedness may have difficulty performing tasks well and may experience limited vision, which can detract from their enjoyment of day-to-day activities. Uncorrected farsightedness may also cause eyestrain and headaches. If left untreated, farsightedness can lead to crossed eyes in some children, adding to their vision problems.

Home Remedies

regarding home remedies specifically for farsightedness. In general, farsightedness is usually corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you have concerns about your vision, it's important to consult an eye care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Treatment

There are several treatments for farsightedness (hyperopia):

1. Corrective lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses are the most common and effective way to correct farsightedness. Convex lenses are used to correct hyperopia, as they bring light rays from distant objects to focus on the retina, improving vision.
2. Refractive surgery: Procedures like LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis) can correct farsightedness by reshaping the cornea. These surgeries aim to create a more accurate curvature, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina.
3. Orthokeratology: This involves wearing special rigid contact lenses for several hours a day to temporarily reshape the cornea, improving vision without the need for glasses or contacts during the day.
4. Refractive lens exchange (RLE): This surgical procedure involves replacing the natural crystalline lens of your eye with an artificial lens to correct your vision. RLE is typically performed on individuals who are not suitable candidates for laser refractive surgery. It is essential to consult an eye care professional to determine the most suitable treatment for your specific case of farsightedness.

Preparing for medical consultation

To prepare for an appointment for farsightedness, you can follow these steps:

1. Gather necessary items: Bring your glasses or contact lenses (if you wear any) to the appointment, as well as empty contact lens boxes from each type of contact you use.
2. Note symptoms: Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, such as difficulty reading up close or trouble with night driving, and when they began.
3. Medications and supplements: Make a list of all medications, vitamins, and other supplements you're taking, including doses.
4. Prepare a list of questions: Compile a list of questions to ask your doctor, such as: When do I need to use corrective lenses? What are the benefits and drawbacks of glasses? What are the benefits and drawbacks of contacts? How often should I have my eyes examined? Are more permanent treatments, such as eye surgery, an option for me? Do you have any brochures or printed material I can take home? What websites do you recommend?
5. Transportation: Check available transportation options, such as vans, shuttles, volunteer driving networks, or ride-shares in your area for people with impaired vision.
6. Connect with others: Utilize online networks, support groups, and resources for people with impaired vision to gain additional insights and support. Remember that farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a condition where light focuses behind the retina rather than on it, causing blurry vision, especially for close objects. During the appointment, your doctor will determine the appropriate corrective lenses to improve your vision.