Hyperopia - Causes and Symtoms | LASERSIGHT Australia

Hyperopia (Long-sightedness)

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, more commonly referred to as long-sightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects are seen clearly while close up objects appear blurry.

What Causes Hyperopia?

Hyperopia occurs when the eye is too short and/or the cornea is too flat. Therefore, the distance between the cornea and the retina is not long enough, resulting in images from the light rays forming behind the retina, instead of forming on the retina. This causes blurred vision at close ranges.

What are the Symptoms of Hyperopia?

While the symptoms of hyperopia vary from case to case, there are common indicators to look out for:

Blurry vision and difficulty focusing on close up objects, such as reading or writing
Eyestrain or tired eyes that produce a burning feeling
Ongoing squinting or blinking to see clearly
Headaches while reading or following close up activities

If these symptoms begin to interfere with your daily routine or are present to the point of causing pain, we recommend you to book an appointment with a LASERSIGHT Consultant Optometrist .

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How will a LASERSIGHT Doctor Diagnose Hyperopia?

Your LASERSIGHT doctor will be able to diagnose hyperopia by conducting a comprehensive eye examination. This would likely begin with a standard vision test, commonly carried out with a letter chart presented for the patient to read close up as well as far away. If this test displays long-sightedness there are further tests which can determine the cause of hyperopia and the best way to treat it.

Quick Tip: A general eye check-up is recommended once every two years for people over 45 years of age.

What are the Risk Factors of Hyperopia?

The two main risk factors of hyperopia include age and genetics.

Those with a family history of hyperopia are more likely to inherit the condition. However, many children eventually grow out of the condition as the eye lengthens with normal growth. Older people with hyperopia are more likely to experience blurred vision for all manner of close vision tasks and eventually distance tasks as well.

How do I Prevent the Onset of Hyperopia?

While there is no proven prevention to hold off the onset of hyperopia, you should organise regular consultations with an optometrist to ensure that hyperopia is diagnosed early and treated accordingly.

What are the Long Term Implications of Hyperopia?

Hyperopia can be associated with several problems, such as:

Learning difficulties: If untreated some children may find it difficult to read or write and to maintain focus as a result of eyestrain and headaches.
Reduced quality of life: Uncorrected hyperopia can affect your ability to perform tasks as well as you wish.
Eyestrain: Uncorrected hyperopia may cause you to squint or strain your eyes to maintain focus. This can lead to headaches.
Crossed eyes: Some children with hyperopia may develop crossed eyes.

What are the Treatment Options for Hyperopia?

Depending on your age and severity of hyperopia you may be suitable for LASIK surgery, lens replacement, (ICL) or cataract surgery. Your LASERSIGHT Specialist will recommend the right treatment for your condition.

LASIK

LASIK uses a laser to re-shape the underlying cornea in order to correct the refractive error.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery involves removing clouded lens from the eye and replacing it with a clear, acrylic intraocular lens.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

ICL is a procedure where the lens of your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

Frequently asked questions

If hyperopia is so common, when should I see my doctor?

If your particular degree of hyperopia is significant enough to stop you performing a task as you would normally like, or if your quality of vision is actively detracting from your enjoyment of hobbies, you should make an appointment with your optometrist.

What is a refractive error?

A refractive error occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina. It's an unnatural length of the eyeball, whether that be longer or shorter, can cause refractive errors.

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