Treating farsightedness with glasses plus and surgery

Plus eyes or farsightedness (hypermetropy) cause a person to have difficulty seeing objects from a short distance clearly. Although the symptoms are similar to those of the old eye (presbyopia), farsightedness can be experienced by any age. The main way to deal with farsightedness is to use plus glasses. However, there are also other ways to treat plus eyes. What are the options?

How to deal with farsightedness without surgery

Farsightedness occurs when light refracts from the front of the eye through the cornea and the lens falls on the back of the retina. In fact, to be able to send a clear signal to the brain, light must fall right on the retina.

Therefore, people with nearsightedness can see objects from a distance clearly, but cannot see objects from a short distance clearly.

This refractive error is caused by the shorter shape of the eyeball so that the distance between the lens of the eye and the retina is too close. In addition, diseases that affect the function of the optic nerve are also at risk of causing farsightedness.

In general, there are 2 ways to treat plus eye without surgery, namely:

1. Glasses plus

The main way to deal with farsightedness is to use plus glasses. Plus glasses are glasses with convex lenses, the same type as reading glasses.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, plus glasses treat farsightedness by adjusting the shape of the eyeball that is shortened or correcting the problem of corneal curvature. This is done so that the light can focus right on the retina. That way, you can return to seeing close objects clearly.

For mild farsightedness, usually the patient's eyes can still adjust in focusing light on the retina so they don't need glasses or plus contact lenses.

2. Contact lenses

Apart from plus glasses, the use of contact lenses can also help focus light to fall right on the retina. Contact lenses are available in soft, hard, to gas-absorbing materials. In treating plus eyes, choose contact lenses with the most comfortable material.

The use of contact lenses is attached directly to the front of the eye. Therefore, contact lenses are not recommended for children who still have difficulty using them.

If it is found that you also have difficulty seeing distant objects (myopia) and the condition is quite disturbing, you will need to use a type of bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lens. This lens consists of a plus and a minus lens at the same time so that it can overcome the distraction of the eye focus near and far.

So that the use of contact lenses and glasses plus can be optimal, try to consult a doctor. Later, the doctor will perform an eye refraction check so that you can get a prescription for the right size glasses.

How to deal with farsightedness with surgery

Apart from using contact lenses and plus glasses, you can also treat your plus eyes with the eye refraction surgery method. This allows you to be free from glasses.

However, it should be noted that overcoming nearsightedness by means of surgery is usually only recommended for those whose condition is severe or continues to get worse over time.

Surgery for hypermetropy is performed with the aim of correcting the curvature of the cornea of ​​the eye. There are 3 methods of surgery that are usually performed for farsightedness, namely:

• Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
  LASIK is a refractive surgery that is effective in correcting eye focus disorders. This operation can correct high hypermetropic conditions that reach above +4 D (ditropi). Its effectiveness can last for 5 years. In the LASIK procedure, the eye surgeon will make a thin fold in the cornea. Then a laser is used to adjust the curvature of the cornea so that it can focus light on the retina. LASIK recovery is faster than other refractive surgeries.

• Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
  In contrast to LASIK, in correcting hypermetropy with LASEK the doctor will create a thin layer on the outside of the cornea, namely the epithelium layer. Lasers are then used to change the shape of the outer layer of the cornea, correct curvature, and replace the epithelial layer.
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
  The procedure for treating plus eye is similar to that of LASEK. Fixed lasers are used to change the shape of the curvature of the cornea. However, in PRK, the epithelium layer is completely removed. The epithelium layer is not replaced because it can grow back and adapt to the shape of the repaired cornea. This causes the recovery process for nearsightedness surgery to take longer than other refractive surgeries.

It is important to know, however, that treating the eye plus surgery does not always produce the desired results. Every refractive surgery procedure carries a risk of side effects. After surgery, you may still be at risk of developing farsightedness. Talk to your doctor about the side effects, risks, and best benefits.

Tips for overcoming the eyes plus everyday

Farsightedness is not actually an eye disease, but a focus disorder of the eye. However, you can still prevent farsightedness that you experience from getting worse.

Daily treatment that can be done as a way to deal with farsightedness is to maintain eye health, such as:

• Using anti-radiation glasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays when you are outside
• Eat foods that are nutritious for eye health, such as foods high in vitamin A or food sources high in fatty acids, such as tuna and salmon
• Make sure your room has sufficient lighting
• Rest your eyes while reading, watching, studying or working, especially when using electronic devices, such as gadget or computer. Switch your gaze to focus on seeing other objects every 20 minutes.
• Have regular eye examinations, especially for children. Get checked out at least twice a year.

If you experience visual disturbances that show plus eye signs such as having to keep objects away from in front of your eyes every time you look, consult an ophthalmologist immediately.

The doctor will determine how to treat the eye plus the best for you, of course, according to your needs, lifestyle, and eye health conditions.