Hyperopia is the medical term for farsightedness. In this condition,
the eyeball is usually shorter than normal (opposite from myopia,
where the eyeball is too long). This shortness may make it difficult
for the lens to focus light from close-up objects clearly on the retina.
A flattening of the cornea or thinning of the lens may cause hyperopia
in rare instances.
Children tend to be hyperopic to some degree. As the eye grows and
becomes longer, hyperopia lessens. Children who are farsighted usally
see both distant and near objects clearly because the focusing ability
of the youthful lens is strong enough to adjust for the shortness
of the eye. Sometimes hyperopia is associated with crossed eyes in
children, since the muscles of the eyes have to contract tightly to
see up close. Nonvisual symptoms such as headaches and lack of interest
in reading may be warning signs of a large amount of hyperopia. Like
nearsightedness, farsightedness is usually inherited.
Treatment:
Hyperopia is usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Correction of a small amount of farsightedness in children without
symptoms is not necessary. Only those with severe hyperopia or crossed
eyes need to wear glasses.
