What is Farsightedness?

Do you have trouble seeing things up close such as reading newsprint, a book or other activities such as sewing? Do you notice blurred vision at night, especially, or headaches after reading? You may have a common vision issue called farsightedness. Let’s review what this disorder and treatment options.

Farsightedness or hyperopia means that a person can see things at a distance more easily than they see things up close. Farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. This is caused by an eye that is too short, whose cornea is not curved enough, or whose lens sits farther back in the eye than normal. This vision disorder usually runs in the family so, if you have it, you may want to monitor your children as they grow and especially when they enter school.

Symptoms of Farsightedness:

  • Tension around the eyes
  • Eye fatigue
  • blurry vision up close
  • squinting to see better
  • an aching or burning sensation around your eyes
  • a headache after reading or other tasks that require you to focus on something up close

Diagnosing Farsightedness:

It’s easy to diagnose farsightedness during a basic eye examination. Your eye doctor will dilate (widen) your pupils and examine the lenses in your eye.

Treatment Options

  • Contacts for farsightedness – Contact lenses correct blurry, farsighted eyesight. Be sure to consider all of your options, like how often you’d like to change your contacts or how long you’ll be wearing them in one day.
  • Prescription glasses – Eyeglasses are another option for correcting farsightedness. It’s a lifestyle choice between contacts vs. eyeglasses. Consider the options of both.
  • Laser surgery for the eye –  An ophthalmologist uses a laser to reshape part of your eye. Contact your insurance agent and ask what your policy covers.