Farsightedness, or Hyperopia, is a common vision problem, affecting about 1/4th of the population. People with hyperopia can see distant objects, but have difficulty seeing objects that are up close with out the aid of plus lenses.

Hyperopia Symptoms and Signs

The nearer the object the more difficult it is to focus. The eye is usually able to accommodate to this and can with some effort focus on close objects. However, the worse the condition the greater the strain on the eye which can result in headaches and eye strain. If you get these symptoms while wearing your glasses or contact lenses, you may need an eye exam and a new prescription to avoid the squinting.

Treating Hyperopia

Hyperopia can be corrected with Refractive surgery, glasses or even contact lenses to change the way light rays bend and land on the back of the retina. You are farsighted if your glasses or contact lens prescription in the Sphere column begins with plus numbers.

Some may need correction only when doing close-up work like reading or working on a computer. With hyperopia you may need to wear your glasses or contacts all the time. 

Causes of Hyperopia

This vision problem occurs when light rays entering the eye come to focus behind the retina, rather than on it. The eyeball of a farsighted person is normally shorter than normal.

Some children are born with hyperopia, and many of them "outgrow" it as the eyeball lengthens with normal growth.

Don't confuse hyperopia with presbyopia, which also is a difficulty in seeing up close, but has a different cause and the addition of plus (+) numbers in the add power column of a prescription to correct it.

Corrective Lenses

There are several ways to recognize these lenses. Again the obvious one is to examine the lens to feel if the center of the lens is greater than the edge, If this is not possible, or you cannot determine by feel, look through the lens at some print and if the print appears larger through the lens then you have a plus lens.

If, by looking through the lenses the person's eye appears larger, then they are wearing a plus correction lens. Below are some examples of plus lenses.