Hiperopía

Hiperopía, commonly known as farsightedness, is a common refractive error of the eye. In this condition, distant objects can be seen clearly, but close objects appear blurry. This occurs because light entering the eye focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it.

The primary cause of hiperopía is an eyeball that is too short from front to back. It can also be caused by a cornea that has too little curvature. Unlike myopia, which often develops in childhood, hiperopía is often present from birth. Many children are farsighted, but they can often compensate by using their eye's focusing muscles to accommodate, effectively overcoming the blur. This ability to accommodate decreases with age, which is why symptoms may become more noticeable in adults, typically after age 40.

Common symptoms include difficulty focusing on near tasks like reading or sewing, eyestrain, headaches, and aching or burning eyes. For some individuals with a significant degree of hiperopía, even distant vision may be blurry.

Diagnosis is made through a standard eye examination performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam includes a refraction assessment to determine the precise prescription needed for correction.

Hiperopía is easily corrected using converging lenses, which are prescribed in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses. These convex lenses bend light rays inward, helping to focus light correctly onto the retina. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is another option for some adults to permanently change the shape of the cornea.