Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Serving Orange County, California and Surrounding Communities
Hyperopia – the medical term for farsightedness – is a refractive error that makes distant objects clear, while close-up objects are blurry. Many people have some degree of hyperopia, but it does not usually interfere with normal vision to the extent that myopia does. In fact, hyperopia may not become a significant problem until you reach your late 30s, when you suddenly discover you need reading glasses long before your friends.
Common vision screenings – including those that often happen in schools – are usually ineffective at detecting hyperopia, since farsightedness allows people to clearly identify letters on an eye chart. In order to accurately diagnose hyperopia, it is important to undergo a complete examination with an experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Khanna.
Understanding Hyperopia
Hyperopia occurs when the overall length of your eyeball is too short. Because of this, your cornea lacks the necessary curvature to bring near objects into sharp focus. If you are farsighted, you will subconsciously exert extra effort to maintain clear distance vision, and make even more of an effort to see things clearly up close. This can lead to eye fatigue and general discomfort.
Some other common symptoms of hyperopia are:
- Eye strain
- Headaches after close work (e.g. reading, computer work)
- Need to hold objects farther from your eyes to see them clearly
Most people with hyperopia do not need treatment until later in life. When you are young, your eyes are usually able to adjust to compensate for farsightedness. However, people with more pronounced hyperopia may benefit from glasses and contact lenses to relieve the amount of stress on their eyes.
Treating Hyperopia
LASIK eye surgery is an excellent way to treat hyperopia with long-lasting results. This incredibly effective refractive surgery procedure works by changing the shape of your cornea, allowing light to properly focus on the surface of your retina.
LASIK is capable of treating a wide range of hyperopia cases with excellent results. However, some people may not be perfect candidates for LASIK. If LASIK isn’t right for you, Dr. Khanna may recommend an alternative vision correction procedure for hyperopia, such as:
If you have lived with hyperopia all your life – or if you believe you may have hyperopia, but have never been properly diagnosed – please contact The Khanna Institute today to schedule a free initial consultation. We can help you experience the gift of clear vision.
We serve patients throughout the Los Angeles area, with offices in Beverly Hills and Westlake Village, California.
