Summary about Disease
Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common vision condition where you can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects appear blurry. It occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. This can happen because the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature.
Symptoms
Blurry vision when focusing on close objects
Eyestrain
Headaches
Squinting
Difficulty reading
Eye fatigue
In children, possible crossed eyes (strabismus)
Causes
Shorter eyeball: The most common cause is an eyeball that is shorter than normal.
Less curved cornea: The cornea (the clear front part of the eye) may not be curved enough.
Problems with the lens: In some cases, the lens inside the eye may not focus light properly.
Genetics: Farsightedness often runs in families.
Medicine Used
Farsightedness is not treated with medicine. The treatment focuses on correcting the refractive error with:
Corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contact lenses): These lenses bend the light rays to focus properly on the retina.
Refractive surgery: Surgical procedures like LASIK, PRK, or SMILE can reshape the cornea to correct the refractive error.
Is Communicable
No, farsightedness is not communicable. It is not caused by an infection or contagious agent.
Precautions
Regular eye exams: Especially important for children to detect and correct farsightedness early.
Use proper lighting when reading or doing close work.
Take breaks when doing close work to reduce eye strain.
Wear your corrective lenses as prescribed.
How long does an outbreak last?
Farsightedness is not an outbreak-related illness. It is a chronic vision condition. Once developed, it generally persists unless corrected with lenses or surgery.
How is it diagnosed?
Farsightedness is diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam includes:
Visual acuity test: Using an eye chart to measure how well you see at various distances.
Refraction: Using a phoropter or retinoscope to determine the refractive error and the lens prescription needed to correct vision.
Eye health evaluation: Examining the overall health of your eyes to rule out other conditions.
Timeline of Symptoms
The onset of symptoms can vary:
Childhood: May be present from birth or develop in early childhood. Sometimes, mild farsightedness in childhood naturally corrects itself as the eye grows.
Adulthood: Can be present but not noticeable until adulthood as the eye's focusing ability decreases with age (presbyopia).
Gradual onset: Symptoms often develop gradually over time.
Important Considerations
Children: Undetected and uncorrected farsightedness in children can lead to learning difficulties and crossed eyes (strabismus). Early detection and correction are critical.
Presbyopia: As people age, the lens in the eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects. This condition, called presbyopia, often exacerbates the symptoms of farsightedness.
Regular eye exams: Routine eye exams are essential for monitoring vision changes and ensuring optimal eye health.