Hyperopia, the medical term for farsightedness, is a vision condition in which distant objects are seen clearly, but close ones are out of focus or appear blurry.
This common condition, affecting about 25% of the population, occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina rather than directly on it.
Often patients with hyperopia go undiagnosed until later in life when their distance vision deteriorates; younger eyes are able to compensate by altering the internal
lens of the eye. Common signs of farsightedness include difficulty concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects, eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after
close work, aching or burning eyes, irritability or nervousness after sustained concentration.
A comprehensive eye examine will determine if you are suffering from hyperopia. In mild cases of farsightedness, your eyes may be able to compensate without corrective lenses.
In other cases, your optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some patients may be candidates for LASIK, other laser-vision correction options or PRELEX.