What is Hyperopia?
What is hypermetropia (farsightedness)?
Hypermetropia is a condition in which a person cannot see up close because the anteroposterior diameter of the eye is smaller than normal. The difference from the normal seeing eye is that when the cornea is flatter or shorter than usual (less than normal refraction), diverging from objects close to the eye, the rays are focused on a virtual point behind the retina. This incoming image is blurred on the retina and the patient cannot see clearly at close range.
What causes hypermetropia?
Farsightedness, which usually occurs with age, can also appear from birth. However, it may increase with age due to a progressive decline in the ability to accommodate. In addition, genetic factors play an effective role in the formation of this condition, which is a visual defect.
What are the symptoms of hypermetropia?
- Offset letters or lines while reading
- Eye pain and headaches when reading for a long time
- Interlacing letters in text
- Eyes get tired quickly if you look at something close
- Inability to see clearly at close range
How is hypermetropia treated
The most common treatment for refractive errors such as myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism is the use of glasses. Spectacle lenses for people with near vision problems are made using thin-walled convex lenses that focus light on the retina and increase the refractive power of the eye. Contact lenses with the same optical properties can also be used to correct refractive errors. Another treatment used in addition to glasses and contact lenses is laser or intraocular lens surgery.
What are the degrees of hypermetropia?
As a rule, children are born with hypermetropia. Their diopters are reduced to 18 years. There are no significant changes after 18 years of age. However, people with hypermetropia who can see clearly at far distances without glasses at a young age may need long-distance glasses after age 40.
How is the hypermetropia test performed?
During a general examination of the eye, the necessary tests are carried out and refractive errors of the eye are examined. The test is carried out using an ophthalmological examination. During the examination, glasses with different degrees are used, and thus the quality of a person's vision at a distance is measured. During the examination, it is possible to calculate the degree of refractive error of the eyes.
What treatments for hyperopia are used besides glasses and contact lenses?
Treatment with intraocular lenses is one of the most recommended treatments for near vision disorders by doctors. Thanks to this method, patients can continue to live without glasses. Another method recommended for treatment is laser treatment. There is no 100% guarantee of diopter reset after laser treatment, however, about 90 out of 100 people who have had laser treatment for myopia can see well without glasses or contact lenses.
Can hypermetropia be corrected with glasses?
The most commonly used treatment for refractive errors is treatment with glasses. However, the diopter cannot be lowered permanently with glasses or contact lenses. Therefore, patients may prefer laser or surgical methods for complete treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hypermetropia the inability to see far or near?
This condition resulting from a refractive error in the eye is called farsightedness. A person without myopia has no problem seeing at a distance.
What happens if a person with hypermetropia does not use glasses?
When spectacles and contact lenses recommended for the treatment of refractive errors are not used for a long time, problems with focusing, difficulty seeing objects, and complaints of eye/headaches may occur.
What is hypermetropic astigmatism?
The cornea, located in the most anterior layer of the eye, has the task of protecting the eye from external factors and correctly refracting rays and light. A properly structured cornea refracts light and transmits it to the retina, that is, to the layer at the back of the eye. The transmitted images allow us to see clearly. In an eye with refractive errors, since the shape of the cornea has some irregularities, it cannot refract the incident light correctly, and this leads to the image being transmitted to the retina blurred. A person with farsightedness and astigmatism cannot see clearly at either close or far distances. He sees objects stretched and scattered. This results in distorted or blurry vision.
Can a hypermetropic eye defect be corrected?
Vision problems, depending on the diopter of the eye, can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Glasses and lenses provide clear vision at close range but do not reduce diopter. As a surgical method for complex treatment, laser surgery and treatment with intraocular lenses can be used. With the help of surgical methods, the degree of vision defect can be permanently corrected.
Do you wear hypermetropia glasses all the time?
The duration of use of glasses for farsightedness may vary from patient to patient. It will be helpful for the patient to ask questions about the use of glasses and the intervals at which glasses should be worn, under the supervision of a physician.
What lenses are used for hypermetropia? / Is a hypermetropia lens a convex lens?
The prepared spectacles use a special type of lens to ensure that the image hits the exact area on the retina, allowing the patient to see up close.
How do people with hypermetropia see?
Farsightedness is caused by focusing the image behind the retina. This causes vision at close range to become blurry. The reason for blurred images is due to the short anteroposterior length of the eye and, less commonly, the lower refractive power of the cornea or lens of the eye.
What is latent hypermetropia?
People with latent hypermetropia can see well at both far and near distances if their diopters are not too high. For this reason, this condition is detected after detailed examinations. Generally, the most common complaints in people are eye pain, eye fatigue, twitching, and watery eyes. These symptoms occur during activities that require more concentration, such as knitting, working at a computer, and reading. To prevent vision problems and ensure early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases that may occur, do not neglect regular eye examinations once a year and take care of the health of your eyes.
Prepared by the Dünyagöz Hospital Editorial Board.
*Page content is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment
Last Update Date: 02.06.2023
