Hypermetropy (farsightedness): features

Definition

What is hypermetropy or farsightedness?

Hypermetropy or farsightedness is a condition when you cannot see objects that are close to it clearly. This is the opposite of nearsightedness or minus eye.

In some cases of severe hypermetropy, the sufferer can only see objects that are very far away. Nearsightedness usually runs in families. The symptoms of hypermetropy are similar to presbyopia in the elderly.

You can overcome farsightedness by wearing glasses or contact lenses plus. Another option that you can do to treat this plus eye condition is surgery.

How common is this condition?

Hypermetropy is a common eye refraction disorder. This condition can occur in patients of any age, but usually occurs since childhood.

Farsightedness can improve with age or by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of hypermetropy (farsightedness)?

In the case of hypermetropy, the optic in the human eye is too weak, forcing your eye muscles to work harder to see clearly. Patients with mild farsightedness may not experience any symptoms.

However, you can also experience the characteristics of nearsightedness, such as:

• Nearby objects are blurry
• Pain around the eyes or tired eyes
• Restless and tired
• Need to squint to see more clearly
• Headache or dizziness after reading
• Some children can develop strasbismus (crossed eyes).

Most children who experience farsightedness do not experience symptoms such as blurred vision. As long as the farsightedness is not too severe, the child can still see far and near objects clearly.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have the characteristics of nearsightedness as above or if the condition of hypermetropy interferes with your activities, consult an ophthalmologist. Regular eye tests are also recommended if you have any problems with your vision.

Cause

What causes farsightedness

In order for the eye to see, the light rays must be bent or refracted by the tear film, cornea, and lens in order to focus and fall precisely on the retina.

The retina receives the image form of these lights and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve.

The cause of hypermetropy is that the shadows or light entering the eye do not fall (or are refracted) right on the retina, but behind the retina.

According to the American Optometric Association, the causes of nearsightedness can occur due to:

• The eye is too short and the cornea is less curved.
• The lens is located further behind the eye than in the normal eye.
• In rare cases, other medical conditions, such as retinopathy or eye tumors, are the cause of hypermetropy.

What increases my risk for

There are many risk factors for hypermetropy (farsightedness), some of which are:

• Heredity
• Have retinopathy or an eye tumor.

Hypermetropic complications

Not only complications of disease, farsightedness may also have an impact on your daily life, such as:

1. Cross eyes

Some children with hypermetropy can develop crossed eyes. Usually, glasses designed to correct hypermetropy can solve this problem as well.

2. Reduce your quality of life

This plus eye condition can affect your quality of life. You may not be able to do the job as well as you hoped it would.

Your limited vision due to nearsightedness may also interfere with your enjoyment of daily activities.

3. Eyes tired

Hypermetropy can cause eye fatigue by maintaining focus. It can also give you headaches.

4. Security is compromised

The safety of yourself and others may be compromised if you have near vision problems.

This can be serious when you are engaged in activities, such as driving and running heavy equipment.

Diagnosis

How does hypermetropy (farsightedness)

Hypermetropy is diagnosed through an eye refraction exam. The doctor will ask about your vision and perform a physical exam.

The doctor will also examine the pupil with a lens to test your vision.

The American Academy of Opthalmology recommends routine age-appropriate eye exams to test the condition of your vision, namely:

Adult

If you are at high risk for eye disease, such as glaucoma, it is recommended that you have an eye test every one or two years, starting at age 40.

If you don't wear glasses or contact lenses, have no symptoms of eye problems, including hypermetropy (farsightedness), and are at low risk for eye diseases, such as glaucoma, do the following eye tests:

• Initial test at age 40
• Every one to four years between the ages of 40 and 54
• Every one to three years between the ages of 55 and 64
• Every one or two years at the beginning of the age of 65

If you wear glasses or contact lenses or have a medical problem that can affect your eyes, such as diabetes, you will have regular eye tests. Ask your doctor when to do an eye test.

If you notice some vision problems, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Blurred vision, for example, may be a sign of other health problems.

Children and adolescents

Eye tests on children will be carried out by a pediatrician or someone who has been trained to do the test at the age of 6 months, 3 years, and before entering school.

An eye test every two years after school term is also necessary as a precaution.

There are several types of eye specialists that you can contact, according to their expertise. Here's the list:

• Optalmologist
  An ophthalmologist is an ophthalmologist. Optalmologists are trained to handle eye evaluations, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat common and complex eye disorders. This doctor is also authorized to perform eye surgery.

• Optometric
  Optometrists have the title of optometrist. These doctors are trained to provide complete eye evaluations, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose and treat common eye disorders.

• Optician or an optometrist
  Optician is an ophthalmologist who helps determine the right glasses or contact lenses for the patient, according to the prescription from the ophthalmologist and optometrist.

Optometrists are not trained to diagnose or treat eye diseases.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat hypermetropy (farsightedness)?

Hypermetropy in children does not require special treatment because their eyes are still flexible and the eye lenses will improve with age.

For adults, the easiest way to deal with hypermetropy (farsightedness) is to use contact lenses or glasses to adjust vision.

Several medical procedures can also be done to treat farsightedness, including:

• Using plus glasses
• Wearing contact lenses (soft lens, hardlens , spherical, toric, multifocal, or monovision design)
• Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, LASEK, or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

How to prevent farsightedness from getting worse

Hypermetropy (farsightedness) cannot be prevented. However, you can help protect your eyes and eyesight with the following tips:

• Have regular eye examinations to find out the health condition of your eyes.
• Take care of your chronic condition. Chronic conditions, including diabetes or hypertension, because they can affect your vision.
• Keep your eyes out of the sun by wearing anti-radiation goggles.
• Avoid eye injury by wearing eye protection while on the move.
• Eat nutritious foods for eye health, such as salmon, tuna, green vegetables, and fruits.
• Do not smoke.
• Wear the right lenses.
• Use good lighting.
• Soothe tired eyes by taking your eyes off the computer or any work, including reading.

Tell your doctor right away when you experience any symptoms, such as loss of vision in one eye with or without pain, double vision, or when you see reflected light or dark circles in the light. This condition can be a sign of a serious eye health condition.