Farsightedness

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a very common type of refractive error. About 20% of all people are farsighted.

Being farsighted means you are able to see distant objects clearly, but near objects are blurred.

There are a few different things that can cause someone to be farsighted. The lens or cornea may be too flat or, more commonly, the eye itself may be too short so that light comes to a focal point behind the retina. The lens is flexible enough to correct this problem for distance vision but not for near vision, which makes distant objects clearer than near objects.

Most people who are farsighted wear glasses or contact lenses to read or see other close objects clearly. While glasses and contact lenses are effective, they aren’t always ideal. They can be lost or broken and they can be a nuisance during physical activities like sports or activities that require frequent switching between near and distant vision. Contact lenses require additional cleaning and care and glasses can alter your appearance.

Sometimes, later in life, people seem to become farsighted as they start to need reading glasses or magnifiers to see fine details close-up. Rather than true farsightedness, this is presbyopia.

Techniques to fix farsightedness today

Advanced techniques make it easier than ever to fix farsightedness permanently-often reducing or completely eliminating the need for glasses or contacts, including reading glasses.

LASIK surgery is a safe, effective option for many farsighted people. LASIK can help you improve eyesight for near and distant objects-without glasses or contacts.

If you are over 40, presbyopia surgery may be more appropriate for restoring your near vision.

For people who are over 60 and have begun to develop cataracts along with being farsighted, Cataract surgery may be the best option to improve eyesight. Modern cataract surgeries can simultaneously correct many refractive errors, including farsightedness and presbyopia. Some surgical options will even allow you to see clearly at all distances without glasses or contact lenses.

If you are farsighted, talk with Dr. Emara about which procedure is right for you.