Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a vision defect that causes those affected to perceive objects at close range out of focus.\nObjects in the distance, on the other hand, appear sharp.\nIn this article, you can find out more about the types of hyperopia, the symptoms of farsightedness and the treatment options using visual aids or laser eye surgery. <\/p>\n\n
The focal point of the incident light rays should normally lie on the retina.\nIn farsighted people, however,<\/strong> the focal point<\/strong> lies behind the retina<\/strong>, resulting in a blurred image at close range<\/strong>.\nThe defective vision is indicated by a plus value (e.g. + 3 diopters).\nFarsightedness is often hereditary and congenital. <\/p>\n\n One cause of long-sightedness is an eyeball that is too short<\/strong> – in this case it is called axial hyperopia.\nThis is the most common form of long-sightedness.\nA shortening of the axis by one millimeter already leads to farsightedness of +3 diopters. <\/p>\n\n Another type of long-sightedness is refractive hyperopia<\/strong>.\nIn this case, the dioptric apparatus – in particular the cornea or the lens of the eye – has insufficient refractive power, while the eyeball is normal.\nRefractive hyperopia occurs far less frequently. Causes of refractive hyperopia<\/strong> can be <\/p>\n\n Unnoticed and untreated hyperopia can manifest itself through various symptoms.\nThose affected continuously strain the eye muscles (ciliary muscle) and can thus adjust the curvature of the lens – this automatic process can compensate for farsightedness to a certain extent (so-called accommodation).\nIn the long term, excessive strain can lead to eye strain<\/strong>.\nThis results in complaints such as <\/p>\n\n Accommodation is one reason why defective vision <\/strong>is rarely noticed at a young age <\/strong>.\nThis is referred to as latent (= hidden) hyperopia.\nFrom the age of 30, the lens of the eye becomes less and less flexible due to the body’s natural ageing process.\nDue to the lack of flexibility, the ability to accommodate decreases.\nAs a result, those affected perceive blurred vision more and more clearly<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n After taking a detailed medical history, the ophthalmologist will carry out various examinations.\nThese include in particular the eye test, the subjective refraction test.<\/strong> During the eye test, patients have to recognize letters and numbers of different sizes.\nThe answers are used to assess visual performance and determine a correction value. <\/p>\n\n In addition to the subjective refraction determination, an objective refraction determination<\/strong> is carried out using a refractometer<\/strong>.\nThis is an automated test to determine the correction value, also known as a computer vision test.\nA funduscopy<\/strong> (mirroring of the back of the eye) is often also carried out to examine the retina. <\/p>\n\n In young people and children, the results of the refraction determination can be distorted by natural accommodation.\nFor this reason, eye drops are applied before the examination, which temporarily cancel out the curvature of the lens of the eye. <\/p>\n\n If hyperopia leads to symptoms, there are two options available to those affected to correct the defective vision: wearing visual aids or undergoing surgery.<\/p>\n\n In contrast to short-sightedness (myopia), converging lenses<\/strong> are used instead of diverging lenses<\/strong> for long-sightedness.\nThe converging lenses focus the light and project it directly onto the retina.\nThe result is a sharp image. <\/p>\n\n Contact lenses can also be considered, which have the same effect as spectacles with converging lenses.\nThey offer the advantage that the field of vision is not restricted.\nHowever, careful handling is necessary to avoid corneal damage or infections. <\/p>\n\n Surgical procedures are becoming increasingly popular due to their high success rate<\/strong> and low complication rate<\/strong>.\nSeveral procedures are possible, including <\/p>\n\nDifferent types of hyperopia<\/h3>\n\n
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Symptoms of long-sightedness<\/h2>\n\n
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Hyperopia diagnosis: How farsightedness is diagnosed<\/h2>\n\n
Treatment options for hyperopia<\/h2>\n\n
Visual aids such as glasses and contact lenses <\/h3>\n\n
Refractive surgery: laser eye surgery for long-sightedness<\/h3>\n\n