Farsightedness

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a vision condition that makes reading or focusing on close objects very difficult. Many people may not need corrective treatment for farsightedness until they reach their 40’s. You may not even recognize there is an issue with your vision until you undergo an exam. If you suffer from farsightedness, our doctors at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC in Philadelphia, PA, can help you choose the best vision correction option.

What Is Farsightedness (Hyperopia)?

Farsightedness occurs when the eyeball is too short and prevents light rays from focusing properly onto the retina. If you are farsighted, you may be able to see objects in the distance well, but struggle to see things up close and nearby. Although hyperopia is often associated with age, it can also be genetic. When age is a factor, the eye’s ability to focus becomes degraded, making it difficult to read or see items up close.

Farsightedness occurs when incoming light focuses behind the retina rather than directly onto the retina.

Signs and Symptoms of Farsightedness

Signs and symptoms of farsightedness include:

Headaches and eyestrain
Blurred vision
Squinting in order to focus
Difficulty seeing objects close up
Eye soreness during reading and writing

If you suffer from farsightedness, our doctors at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC can help you choose the best vision correction option.

Treatment Options for Farsightedness

At Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC, we offer multiple options for treating farsightedness, including LASIK and LASEK surgical procedures:

LASIK – This is a popular and very effective refractive surgery option that corrects farsightedness and other refractive errors by using a laser to reshape the cornea. LASIK requires no stitches and involves a short healing time with minimal discomfort.
LASEK – This procedure involves weakening the cornea’s epithelial (outermost) cells and folding them back to reshape the cornea with a laser. LASEK may be recommended if you have especially thin corneas that cannot accommodate the corneal flap necessary to perform LASIK.
Eyeglasses – As one of the most traditional options, this is the easiest and safest way to correct farsightedness. Your prescribed lenses will allow you to see better up close with less strain.
Contact lenses – Contact lenses are applied directly to the ocular surface. This allows your eyes to focus better and provide clearer vision. When fitted and cared for properly, they are a safe option for most patients. There are certain eye conditions that can make it difficult to wear contact lenses. Your eye doctor can explain your options.

Diagnosing Farsightedness

Your doctors at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC will perform a comprehensive eye examination to detect vision problems and determine the best course of treatment. Children and teens may not need any sort of corrective treatment, while adults with hyperopia have a wide range of treatment options to choose from. Your eye doctor will carefully explain the best options available to help you in making your decision.