Hyperopia is the difficulty in seeing objects at close range and it happens when the eye is shorter than normal or when the cornea (the front of the eye) does not have enough capacity, causing the image to form after the retina.
Hyperopia usually is present since birth, since heredity is the main cause of this condition, however, the difficulty can appear in different degrees, which can make it go unnoticed in childhood, which can result in learning difficulties. Therefore, it is important that the child undergoes vision tests before entering school. Find out how the eye exam is done.
Hyperopia is usually treated through the use of glasses or lenses, however, depending on the degree, it may be indicated by the ophthalmologist to perform laser surgery to correct the cornea, known as Lasik surgery. See what are the indications and how is recovery from Lasik surgery.
Hyperopia symptoms
The eye of a person with hyperopia is shorter than normal, the image being focused after the retina, which makes it difficult to see up close and, in some cases, from afar too.
The main symptoms of hyperopia are:
- Blurry vision for close and mainly distant objects; Tiredness and pain in the eyes; Headaches, especially after reading; Difficulty concentrating; Feeling of heaviness around the eyes; Tearing or redness of the eyes.
In children, hyperopia may be associated with strabismus, and should be closely monitored by the ophthalmologist to avoid low vision, delayed learning and poor visual function at the brain level. See how to identify the most common vision problems.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for hyperopia is usually done with the use of glasses or contact lenses to reposition the image correctly on the retina.
However, depending on the difficulty presented by the person in seeing, the doctor may recommend performing surgery for hyperopia, which can be performed after age 21, and which uses a laser to modify the cornea which will cause the image now focus on the retina.
What causes hyperopia
Hyperopia is usually hereditary, that is, passed from parents to children, however, this condition can be manifested due to:
- Malformation of the eye; Corneal problems; Problems in the lens of the eye.
These factors lead to refractory changes in the eye, causing difficulty in seeing closely, in the case of hyperopia, or from afar, in the case of myopia. Know the difference between myopia and hyperopia.
