Farsightedness

Hyperopia

Farsightedness is having a harder time seeing objects that are close than things that are far away.

The term is often used to describe the need for reading glasses as you get older. However, the correct term for that condition is presbyopia. Although related, presbyopia and hyperopia (farsightedness) are different conditions. People with hyperopia will also develop presbyopia with age.

Causes

Farsightedness is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it. It may be caused by the eyeball being too small or the focusing power being too weak. It can also be a combination of both.

Farsightedness is often present from birth. However, children have a very flexible eye lens, which helps make up for the problem. As aging occurs, glasses or contact lenses may be needed to correct the vision. If you have family members who are farsighted, you are also more likely to become farsighted.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Aching eyes
Aching eyes
Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a forei...

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Blurred vision when looking at close objects
Blurred vision
There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...
Image

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Crossed eyes (strabismus) in some children
Eye strain
Headache while reading

Mild farsightedness may not cause any problems. However, you may need reading glasses sooner than people who do not have this condition.

Exams and Tests

A general eye exam to diagnose farsightedness may include the following tests:

Eye movement testing
Glaucoma testing
Refraction test
Retinal examination
Slit-lamp examination
Slit-lamp examination
The slit-lamp examination looks at structures that are at the front of the eye.
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Visual acuity
Visual acuity
The visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 20 feet (6 meter...
Image

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Cycloplegic refraction, a refraction test done with the eyes dilated

This list is not all-inclusive.

Treatment

Farsightedness is easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Surgery is available for correcting farsightedness in adults. This is an option for those who do not wish to wear glasses or contacts.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is expected to be good.

Possible Complications

Farsightedness can be a risk factor for glaucoma and crossed eyes.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider or eye doctor if you have symptoms of farsightedness and you have not had a recent eye exam.

Also, call if vision begins to get worse after you have been diagnosed with farsightedness.

See a provider right away if you think you have farsightedness and you suddenly develop the following symptoms:

Severe eye pain
Eye redness
Decreased vision

Open References

References

Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.

Diniz D, Irochima F, Schor P. Optics of the human eye. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 2.2.

Holmes JM, Kulp MT, Dean TW, et al. A randomized clinical trial of immediate versus delayed glasses for moderate hyperopia in children 3 to 5 years of age. Am J Ophthalmol. 2019;208:145-159. PMID: 31255587 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31255587/.

Visual acuity test - illustration
Visual acuity tests may be performed in many different ways. It is a quick way to detect vision problems and is frequently used in schools or for mass screening. Driver license bureaus often use a small device that can test the eyes both together and individually.
Visual acuity test
illustration
Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness - illustration
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it. A person with normal vision can see objects clearly near and faraway. Nearsightedness results in blurred vision when the visual image is focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on it. It occurs when the physical length of the eye is greater than the optical length. For this reason, nearsightedness often develops in the rapidly growing school-aged child or teenager, and progresses during the growth years, requiring frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses. A nearsighted person sees near objects clearly, while objects in the distance are blurred. Farsightedness is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it. It may be caused by the eyeball being too small or the focusing power being too weak. Farsightedness is often present from birth, but children can often tolerate moderate amounts without difficulty and most outgrow the condition. A farsighted person sees faraway objects clearly, while objects that are near are blurred.
Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness
illustration
Normal vision - illustration
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it.
Normal vision
illustration
Lasik eye surgery - series - Normal anatomy
Presentation

<strong>Lasik eye surgery - series - Normal anatomy</strong><p>The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris. It is also the main light bending part of the eye.</p>

<strong>Procedure, part 1</strong><p>Anesthetic eye drops are given to numb the eye and the surgeon marks the cornea with water-soluble ink to guide replacement of the corneal flap.</p>

<strong>Procedure, part 2</strong><p>The surgeon performs a keratectomy, which creates a corneal flap. A keratectomy is a procedure that uses a small instrument that makes a cut in the cornea as it moves across it. The flap is lifted and reflected, exposing the cornea beneath.</p>

<strong>Procedure, part 3</strong><p>A computer-controlled laser reshapes the cornea to the prescribed shape for clear vision.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>The corneal flap is repositioned and bonds to the cut edge of the cornea quickly.</p>

Farsighted - illustration
A person who is farsighted has the ability to see objects clearly far away but not see as clearly close-up. Farsightedness is often present from birth. If you have family members who are farsighted, you are also more likely to become farsighted.
Farsighted
illustration

Visual acuity test - illustration
Visual acuity tests may be performed in many different ways. It is a quick way to detect vision problems and is frequently used in schools or for mass screening. Driver license bureaus often use a small device that can test the eyes both together and individually.
Visual acuity test
illustration
Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness - illustration
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it. A person with normal vision can see objects clearly near and faraway. Nearsightedness results in blurred vision when the visual image is focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on it. It occurs when the physical length of the eye is greater than the optical length. For this reason, nearsightedness often develops in the rapidly growing school-aged child or teenager, and progresses during the growth years, requiring frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses. A nearsighted person sees near objects clearly, while objects in the distance are blurred. Farsightedness is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it. It may be caused by the eyeball being too small or the focusing power being too weak. Farsightedness is often present from birth, but children can often tolerate moderate amounts without difficulty and most outgrow the condition. A farsighted person sees faraway objects clearly, while objects that are near are blurred.
Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness
illustration
Normal vision - illustration
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it.
Normal vision
illustration
Lasik eye surgery - series - Normal anatomy
Presentation

Farsighted - illustration
A person who is farsighted has the ability to see objects clearly far away but not see as clearly close-up. Farsightedness is often present from birth. If you have family members who are farsighted, you are also more likely to become farsighted.
Farsighted
illustration

Talking to your MD

Tests for Farsightedness

Review Date: 7/25/2022

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Library

Farsightedness

Causes

Retina

Symptoms

Aching eyes

Blurred vision

Exams and Tests

Slit-lamp examination

Visual acuity

Treatment

Outlook (Prognosis)

Possible Complications

Glaucoma

When to Contact a Medical Professional

References

Visual acuity test - illustration

Visual acuity test

Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness - illustration

Normal, nearsightedness, and farsightedness

Normal vision - illustration

Normal vision

Lasik eye surgery - series - Normal anatomy

Farsighted - illustration

Farsighted