Better known as long-sightedness or farsightedness, hyperopia is where you can see things in the distance clearly, but close-up things appear out of focus. It is a common condition and tends to run in families. People aged over 40 often start showing signs of long-sightedness, but in these cases, it is caused by presbyopia rather than hyperopia.

Signs of hyperopia

Mild hyperopia often goes unnoticed, particularly in children, as the muscles in the eye can adjust to overcome it. However, signs such as squinting and eye strain mean it’s time to see an optician. Other symptoms include near objects appearing blurry, and headaches or eye discomfort after reading or looking at a close-up screen for a while.

Young children can’t always tell you if they are having vision problems so signs you can look out for include a reluctance to read, squinting, complaining of sore eyes and headaches.

Causes of hyperopia

Long-sightedness is what’s known as a refractive error. If the eyeball is too short or the cornea isn’t curved enough, light entering the eye is aimed behind the retina at the back of the eye instead of directly on it. It is the opposite of myopia [link], or short-sightedness. Many children have mild hyperopia, with some growing out of it as they get older and their eyes grow and lengthen. Most people with hyperopia are born with it, but it may not become a problem until you get older and the lens in your eye becomes less flexible.

Treatment for hyperopia

Hyperopia is diagnosed with an eye exam and treated by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Not all children need to wear glasses for long-sightedness, but they should still have regular eye exams. In some cases, the hyperopia can worsen and if left untreated it can lead to amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. Children with untreated hyperopia can also suffer from learning problems if they aren’t able to see clearly.

Book an eye exam

If you think you or your child might have hyperopia, contact us or request an appointment online. If you need glasses, we have a great range of frames for children and adults, and our team will be happy to help you choose the right ones for you.