Hyperopia Diagnosis and Treatment in Central PA

Sharp vision can be an integral aspect of a person's overall well-being. Vision problems can impact lifestyle, job functions, recreation, and even exercise. Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, is one of the most frequently treated types of vision impairments. About a fourth of people in the U.S. are impacted by hyperopia. It causes the limited ability to focus on objects that are close up, such as reading material or images. Hobbies and even household activities (like vacuuming) can be very difficult for individuals with hyperopia. Like with nearsightedness (myopia), the severity of hyperopia can range from slight to significant and might lead to other frustrating issues that can negatively impact your quality of life. Luckily, there are many potential ways to manage your hyperopia.

At The Eye Center of Central PA, our professional eye care team can diagnose your farsightedness and detail all of your possible treatment choices. Schedule your visit to our Central PA facility for your complete vision exam with one of our board-certified eye doctors and come one step closer to achieving sharper, accurate vision.

Those who have hyperopia may not even realize it until their near vision starts to appear fuzzy. A diminished ability to focus on objects up close is the most obvious sign of hyperopia. Nevertheless, farsightedness that isn’t as noticeable or has been neglected can often result in eye fatigue, also referred to as asthenopia. The extra strain on the eyes that comes from working on certain tasks, such as reading, writing, or using the computer, can lead to migraines, itching and sore eyes, and tight muscles in the shoulders and neck. Those who have a prescription for hyperopia but are still experiencing these symptoms should have an eye exam to determine if their prescription needs to be changed.

For the most part, hyperopia is hereditary. The blurred near vision of hyperopia is caused by the contours of either the eyeball itself or of the cornea. If the whole eye is not long enough from front to back, it affects the curvature of the cornea and creates problems with how light hits the retina. Similarly, if the cornea is not rounded or curved enough, light entering the eye will not be focused onto the retina properly. Most of the time, hyperopia already exists at birth; however, children may eventually overcome their impairment as their eyes keep developing. Farsightedness can be easily confused with presbyopia. Both affect near vision, but they are two different conditions. Presbyopia refers to diminished close-up vision caused by reduced flexibility in the eye’s lens. It occurs as we age and is most common in people over the age of 40.

At your appointment at The Eye Center of Central PA, one of our highly trained ophthalmologists or optometrists will conduct a complete eye assessment to learn about your overall eye health. Every examination will incorporate common eyesight tests to see if you have any refractive vision issues, such as farsightedness. The tests we perform to identify whether you have hyperopia are the same as those used to check for nearsightedness. These standard tests generally consist of the person showing how precisely they can make out the lines on an eye chart, as well as a couple of tests to establish if light is hitting the retinas correctly. Each acuity test is out of the way quickly and totally noninvasive. In the event that you have hyperopia, we will then do tests to determine an accurate prescription for your glasses or contacts.

The assessments for farsightedness aren't the only similarities it has with nearsightedness. Many of the popular treatment options for myopia and hyperopia are similar as well, such as prescription glasses, contact lenses, or both, depending on your lifestyle. We typically advise our patients to go with a combination of the two to accommodate their varying daily needs. Many men and women with hyperopia could also be eligible for refractive surgery, like LASIK. Once we complete your evaluation, we will discuss whether refractive surgery is an effective option for you. For patients who are candidates, refractive surgery can provide remarkable, long-lasting clear vision.

Those with farsightedness can find it hard to easily accomplish many everyday tasks, resulting in issues at the office and during free time. Getting corrective glasses or contacts is necessary to restore your near vision and can make a positive change in your life at large. Contact the team at The Eye Center of Central PA to set up your complete eye exam if you are experiencing trouble seeing close up. Our team has helped numerous Central PA residents achieve their most precise vision.