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The invisible energy drain: How hyperopia dictates your everyday life

Patients with nearsightedness know immediately that they can’t see well. Farsighted people often stumble in the dark for years. Why? Because your eye can initially “train away” the error itself (accommodation). The ciliary muscle in the eye is constantly tensed to compensate for the missing diopters.

PresbyMAX Augenlasern
What is hyperopia (farsightedness)? The eye is anatomically slightly too short; the image would form behind the retina. The inner eye muscle compensates for years without you noticing, until its reserve runs out.

In a dynamic city like Vienna, you feel the effects of this constant tension subtly, but massively:

  • The 4 PM slump at the office: You work at a screen all day. Late in the afternoon, your eyes burn intensely, your neck is tense, and headaches set in (asthenopia).
  • The wine tavern frustration: Reading the menu in dim light increasingly becomes torture. Your arms become “too short.”
  • Premature vision loss: While people with normal vision only need reading glasses from 45, the overworked muscle in farsighted people often gives up as early as their late 30s. Suddenly it’s not just the book that blurs, but also the panorama from Kahlenberg.

The iceberg phenomenon: Why a normal eye test isn’t enough

One of the biggest mistakes in optometry is measuring farsightedness like nearsightedness. Hyperopia works like an iceberg.

Augenlasern bei hohen Dioptrien
  • The tip of the iceberg (manifest hyperopia): This is the value the optician measures in a quick eye test (e.g., +1.0 diopters).
  • The invisible part (latent hyperopia): This is the value your strong eye muscle hides (e.g., +2.0 diopters).

If we only lasered the obvious +1.0 diopters in a clinic, you’d have headaches again after a few weeks because the remaining +2.0 diopters would come out of hiding.

The EyeLaser strategy: During your preliminary exam, you’ll receive special eye drops that completely paralyze your ciliary muscle for a few hours (cycloplegia). Only then can we measure the entire iceberg (+3.0 diopters). We never laser based on estimates.

The medical masterclass: The strictest standards for your safety

In the professional world, laser treatment for farsightedness is considered significantly more demanding than for nearsightedness. We rely on three physical pillars:

Tropfanästhesie oder Dämmerschlaf bei der Augenoperation

1. The angle kappa phenomenon (centering on the visual axis)

In short, farsighted eyes, the actual visual axis is often not in the center of the pupil. This offset is called angle kappa . If a standard device rigidly lasers the pupil center, the profile becomes decentered—you see halos. Our diagnostics (Schwind Peramis) measure your angle kappa. The 7D laser centers the treatment 100% on your individual visual axis.

Augenlaser-Zentrum EyeLaser

2. The “blinking effect” (avoid regression)

To correct farsightedness, the cornea must become steeper in the center (through ring-shaped tissue removal at the edge). The problem: with every blink, the eyelids rub over this new “hill” and biomechanically try to flatten it again (regression). Our solution: We use extremely wide optical zones and aerodynamic transition areas (blend zones). The laser models the cornea so perfectly that the lids glide without resistance.

Eyelaser Wien

3. ICL safety: The endothelial cell limit

For very high farsightedness (+5 dpt), we consider implantable lenses (EVO ICL). But: farsighted eyes are often anatomically very tight. We not only measure the depth of the anterior chamber (> 2.8 mm), but also perform a microscopic endothelial cell measurement . These cells keep the cornea clear. If the eye is too tight, we recommend a lens exchange or consistently decline surgery (glaucoma prevention!).

The hyperopia bonus from 40: Your hidden advantage

EDOF

Many farsighted people are frustrated because they need reading glasses around their 40th birthday. But in refractive surgery, this is often a huge advantage.

When we steepen your cornea with the laser, we naturally create increased depth of focus in the eye (so-called positive spherical aberration). That means: farsighted patients are exceptionally well suited for our PresbyMAX procedure (Laser Blended Vision). We use this optical effect deliberately to enable you, from your early/mid-40s, to live largely without reading glasses—both for distance and for reading on your smartphone. A curse becomes a surgical blessing.

Which treatment method is right for you?

Important: Minimally invasive procedures like SmartSight or SMILE are primarily established for nearsightedness. For farsightedness, Femto-LASIK is the world’s most precise gold standard.

Comparison: Ideal for · Special feature & technology · Limitations
Method Ideal for Special feature & technology Limitations
Femto-LASIK Farsightedness up to max. +3 to +4 dpt. (< 45 years) Ring-shaped tissue removal to steepen the cornea. Sufficient corneal thickness required.
PresbyMAX Patients from around 40–45 years Uses the hyperopia bonus for distance & near. A small compromise in contrast vision is possible.
ICL (phakic lens) Very high values (+4 to +10 dpt.) Reversible. Brilliant, but requires a lot of space in the eye. Often anatomically impossible in small farsighted eyes.
Lens exchange (RLE) Patients from around 50 years The gold standard from 50. Corrects farsightedness AND presbyopia permanently. More invasive than a superficial laser procedure.

The EyeLaser suitability check: The traffic-light system for your eyes

EDOF-Linsen

🟢 Green Light (Ideal Conditions):

  • Total (manifest + latent) hyperopia up to around +3.0 diopters.
  • Sufficient corneal thickness and a healthy tear film.
  • Age 45+ for PresbyMAX or 50+ for refractive lens exchange.

🟡 Yellow light (special procedures & medical clarification required):

  • Values between +3.0 and +5.0: -> Here, the risk of regression increases. We carefully assess whether a lens exchange makes more sense.
  • Suspected squint (strabismus): -> Since focusing is linked to binocular vision, we check your orthoptic status.
  • Use of ICL lenses: -> Measuring anterior chamber depth and endothelial cells is mandatory!

🔴 Red light (no refractive surgery):

  • Anterior chamber too shallow with simultaneously high hyperopia: no ICL possible.
  • Severe macular diseases or untreated glaucoma.
  • Unstable values.
Dr Victor Derhartunian

“Treating farsightedness requires surgical humility. We don’t just copy numbers from your glasses prescription—we decode the ‘entire iceberg’ and the hidden work your eye muscle is doing. My goal at EyeLaser is to give you completely relaxed, pain-free eyes after a long workday. If your anatomy doesn’t allow it to be 100% safe, we don’t operate.”
– Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO

Your path to life without reading and distance glasses starts today

Don’t leave your eyesight to chance. Invest in the highest Austrian quality standards, state-of-the-art laser and premium lens technology, and Dr. Derhartunian’s outstanding surgical experience.

100% non-binding. No hidden costs. Practice in a prime location in the heart of Vienna.

When we advise against laser surgery: With high hyperopia the laser reaches physical limits; a lens implant then delivers the more stable result. From the mid-40s we first check for beginning presbyopia: if you will need reading correction within a few years anyway, PresbyMAX or a lens exchange often serves you better than a pure distance correction.
Experience you can measure: Over 25,000 laser procedures performed personally by Dr. Derhartunian · plus the cumulative lens-surgery experience of the team of Dr. Jirak, Prof. Leydolt and Dr. Kneifl · in Vienna since 2012 · success rate above 97%.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO · Last updated: 30 August 2026
Book your suitability check in Vienna online in 15 minutes now

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about farsightedness in Vienna

What exactly is farsightedness (hyperopia)?

With farsightedness, the eyeball is slightly too short. In theory, the light focuses only behind the retina. The eye has to strain extremely to “pull” the image forward onto the retina.

What’s the difference between farsightedness and presbyopia?

Farsightedness is an anatomical defect (eye too short). Presbyopia is a natural aging process from around age 45, in which your own lens stiffens. Since farsighted eyes always have to accommodate, these patients often notice presbyopia as early as their late 30s.

Why do I often get headaches in the evening?

To compensate for farsightedness, your inner eye muscle (ciliary muscle) is constantly tensed. After hours of screen work, this continuous strain shows up as fatigue and frontal headaches (asthenopia).

Why do I get drops during the preliminary exam that make my vision blurry?

Your eye muscle “hides” part of the diopters (iceberg phenomenon). We need to relax this muscle with drops (cycloplegia) for 24 hours to measure the true value. Please don’t drive yourself afterwards!

Up to what values can farsightedness be treated with laser?

With modern Femto-LASIK, we achieve highly precise results up to around +3.0 or +4.0 diopters. At higher values, the risk increases that the cornea will reshape back (regression).

Why is lasering farsightedness more complicated than nearsightedness?

The cornea has to become steeper in the middle. The laser removes tissue in a ring at the edge. This requires large treatment zones (blend zones), perfect centering, and state-of-the-art laser software to counteract the mechanical pressure of the eyelids (“blinking effect”).

What is the angle kappa phenomenon?

In short eyes, the visual axis is often not exactly on the center of the pupil. If the laser ignores this, the profile becomes decentered. Our diagnostics measure this offset and center the laser on the visual axis with micrometer precision.

Can farsightedness come back after lasering (regression)?

The risk of regression is somewhat higher in farsightedness due to eyelid biomechanics. We minimize this with aerodynamic transition zones. If it still happens, our care package covers any potential enhancements.

Do you also offer SmartSight or SMILE for hyperopia?

No. Minimally invasive procedures (lenticule extraction) are primarily established for nearsightedness. For farsightedness, Femto-LASIK is the globally recognized, safest gold standard.

I’m in my mid-40s and farsighted. Is PresbyMAX suitable for me?

Absolutely. Farsighted patients have a natural advantage in depth of focus (spherical aberration) due to the steepening of the cornea. This is why PresbyMAX (Laser Blended Vision) is often extremely successful for you in making both distance and near vision glasses-free.

Are ICL lenses possible for farsightedness?

Yes, but farsighted eyes are often very small. We check the depth of the anterior chamber with the Pentacam and must perform an endothelial cell measurement. If there isn’t enough space, we decline ICL (risk of glaucoma).

When do you recommend lens exchange (RLE) for farsightedness?

From about age 50, the natural lens has completely lost its flexibility. A pure laser procedure is no longer sustainable here. Lens exchange with premium multifocal lenses is then the gold standard that permanently corrects farsightedness and presbyopia.

Can corneal astigmatism be treated with laser at the same time?

Yes. Our 7D excimer laser reshapes the cornea so that farsightedness and astigmatism are corrected in a single step within a few seconds.

Does the Procedure Hurt?

No. The eye is fully numbed with drops. With Femto-LASIK, a foreign-body sensation (like an eyelash in the eye) can occur in the first 4–6 hours after the procedure.

When can I work again after lasering?

After Femto-LASIK or a lens exchange, most patients can return to desk work after just 1 to 2 days.

How long do I have to avoid sports?

Light exercise (jogging) is possible after about 3 days. You must avoid swimming (Old Danube, thermal spa) and saunas for 2 to 3 weeks to rule out infections.

Can I drive after the operation?

Absolutely not on the day of surgery. At the first follow-up (usually the next day), we check your vision. If the doctor gives the green light, you can get back behind the wheel.

I’m pregnant or breastfeeding. Can I have laser treatment?

No. Hormonal fluctuations change the cornea. We recommend a preliminary exam no earlier than 3 months after you stop breastfeeding.

Does the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) cover the procedure?

Health insurers usually classify this as a lifestyle procedure. A rare exception exists for extreme anisometropia (difference between the eyes, > 3 dpt). However, you may be able to claim the costs for tax purposes.

Is there installment payment at EyeLaser Vienna?

Yes, together with reputable financing partners, we offer flexible installment plans.

How high is the risk of dry eyes?

Farsighted people often suffer from dry eyes even before surgery (due to muscle tension). Temporary dryness after lasering is normal. We minimize discomfort through precise diagnostics and pre-treatment of the tear film.

What happens if I blink during the laser?

A small lid speculum keeps your eye open. Our laser has an extremely fast 7D eye tracker. If your eye moves, the laser follows within microseconds or shuts off immediately.

How long does the actual procedure take?

The pure laser time on the cornea is usually only 10 to 20 seconds per eye. The total time in the operating room is about 10 to 15 minutes.

Can I wear makeup after the operation?

Please avoid eye makeup for at least one week to prevent bacterial infections.

Can the procedure trigger hidden squinting in farsightedness?

Since accommodation is closely linked to eye alignment, we check your orthoptic status (latent squint) with high plus values. If there is a risk of double vision, we discuss this transparently with you in advance.

Why does the preliminary examination at EyeLaser take almost two hours?

Premium safety takes time. The precise measurement of your cornea (Pentacam), relaxation of the eye muscle (cycloplegia), endothelial cell measurement, and the medical consultation with Dr. Derhartunian are essential for a lifelong safe result.

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