Farsightedness – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, affects vision by making nearby objects appear blurry while distant ones remain clear. This condition varies in severity.
People with mild farsightedness might see objects relatively close to them, while those with severe cases may only see distant objects clearly.
This vision condition typically appears at birth and has a genetic component, often running in families. The good news is that farsightedness can be easily corrected using eyeglasses, contact lenses, and surgical procedures.
These treatment options help focus light properly on the retina, allowing for clearer vision at all distances.
Signs and Symptoms
Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, can cause several noticeable symptoms that affect daily activities and comfort. People with this vision condition may experience:
- Blurry vision when looking at nearby objects
- The need to squint to see things clearly
- Eye strain, including burning sensations
- Aching in or around the eyes
- Headaches after reading, writing, or computer use
- General eye discomfort during close-up tasks
Many people with mild farsightedness may not notice symptoms initially, but they can develop as the eyes work harder to focus on close objects.
When Medical Attention Is Needed
If farsightedness interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks or reduces your enjoyment of activities, it’s time to visit an eye care professional. They can measure your vision and recommend appropriate correction options.
Regular eye exams are important even when symptoms aren’t obvious. For adults without vision problems or risk factors, experts recommend:
| Age Group | Recommended Eye Exam Frequency |
|---|---|
| Age 40 (initial exam) | Once |
| Ages 40-54 | Every 2-4 years |
| Ages 55-64 | Every 1-3 years |
| Age 65+ | Every 1-2 years |
Adults with high risk factors for eye diseases like glaucoma should have dilated eye exams every 1-2 years starting at age 40.
If you wear glasses or contacts or have health conditions affecting eyes (like diabetes), you’ll likely need more frequent checkups. Ask your eye doctor about the right schedule for your situation.
Important: Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment if you notice vision changes. Sudden blurry vision might indicate you need a prescription change or could signal another problem requiring prompt attention.
For children, vision screening is recommended at:
- 6 months of age
- 3 years of age
- Before first grade and every two years during school
These screenings can be done by pediatricians, ophthalmologists, optometrists, or trained screeners. They often do this during well-child visits or through school programs.
What Causes Vision Problems
Your eye has two main parts that help you see clearly: the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front part of your eye. The lens sits behind the cornea and changes shape to focus on objects.
In a normal eye, both the cornea and lens have smooth, even curves. This allows light to bend properly and create a clear image on the retina at the back of your eye.
Farsightedness happens when your eyeball is shorter than normal or your cornea doesn’t curve enough. When this happens, light focuses behind your retina instead of directly on it. This makes close objects look blurry while distant objects may appear clearer.
Other Vision Issues
Besides farsightedness, several other common vision problems can affect how well you see:
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- Occurs when your eyeball is too long or the cornea curves too steeply
- Light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it
- Distant objects appear blurry while close objects look clear
Astigmatism
- Happens when your cornea or lens has uneven curves
- Different parts of the eye bend light differently
- Creates blurry or distorted vision at all distances
- Can occur along with either nearsightedness or farsightedness
These vision problems affect how light enters your eye and reaches your retina. Most can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or, in some cases, surgery.
Complications
Farsightedness can lead to several problems if left untreated.
Children with this condition may develop crossed eyes. These can often be treated with specially designed eyeglasses that correct part or all of the farsightedness.
People with uncorrected farsightedness might struggle to perform daily tasks well. This can reduce their enjoyment of everyday activities and lower their quality of life.
Common physical symptoms include:
- Eyestrain from squinting or straining to maintain focus
- Frequent headaches
- Visual discomfort when reading or doing close work
Uncorrected vision problems can create safety risks. This is especially dangerous when driving or operating machinery where clear vision is essential for safety.
