Hypermetropia – Farsightedness

Hypermetropia (farsightedness) is refractive error where close objects are seen with difficulty, while distant objects are seen more or less clearly. This occurs because light rays coming from the distance focus behind retina.

The most common reason for hypermetropia is because eyeball is too short and normal refraction is too weak to focus light rays on the retina. This form of hypermetropia is also known as axial hypermetropia.

Hypermetropia is also possible when size of an eyeball is normal, but refractive power of cornea or lens or both is weak. This condition is very similar to presbyopia which occurs due to insufficiency of lens accommodation.

Since accommodation can increase the refractive power of the lens, some forms of hypermetropia can be compensated. Without accommodation both close and far objects are not seen clearly.

The power of accommodation is limited. To see clearly close object, person with hypermetropia require higher degree of accommodation than emmetrope.

Most common symptoms of hypermetropia are eye strain, difficulty with reading, and headaches. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should go to the eye exam to check your vision.

The cause is unknown. It is considered that hypermetropia is inherited and eyes don’t grow enough and normal refractive power of lens and cornea is too weak.

Hypermetropia is usually treated with corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses. There are also some other forms of treatment like laser eye surgery and natural vision correction. Read more about treatment here.