Farsightedness or hyperopia is an impairment of vision known as hyperopia, which is a deviation from normal vision.
What is farsightedness?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy of the eye with myopia and after treatment. Click to enlarge. The term farsightedness is usually used in colloquial usage. Technically accurate, terms such as hyperopia and hypermetropia are considered classic terms in ophthalmology and medicine. Farsightedness is a form of defective vision and does not always need to be corrected with a visual aid if the degree of severity is low. Normally, the affected person only notices the farsightedness when it is severe and usually only at an advanced age. Farsightedness or hyperopia is based on quite different forms, which are called axial hyperopia and refractive hyperopia. Basically, in farsightedness, the focal point of light reflections entering the eye is not in front of the retina, but behind it, which can be compensated to a certain extent imperceptibly and naturally.
Causes
The causes responsible for farsightedness even in childhood are narrowed down to two factors. Farsightedness may result from the eye being anatomically designed so that the distance between the cornea and retina is too short to realize the full refractive power. The shortening of the axes can cause a corresponding farsightedness This is a typical cause of farsightedness as axial hyperopia. Axis hyperopia as farsightedness is diagnosed most frequently. Even children are born with this visual defect. Refractive hyperopia or farsightedness due to impairment of the refractive power of the eye is caused by genetic congenital defects. Refractive hyperopia is not as common. A special form of refractive hyperopia as a cause of farsightedness is the absence of the lens of the eye. Both causes of farsightedness result in blurred vision of the eye.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
In most cases, farsightedness does not become noticeable until adulthood. In childhood or adolescence, the eye can often compensate for the visual defect by accommodation, the adjustment of the refractive power. In this case, doctors speak of hidden hyperopia. When farsightedness becomes more noticeable with age, blurred vision at close range increases, for example when reading or working at the computer. In order to still be able to see reasonably sharply, those affected have to hold the object further and further away from the eye. In addition to impaired near vision, farsightedness can cause a number of other complaints, such as headaches, pain and burning of the eyes, the eyes tire more quickly, and in some cases conjunctivitis can occur because the eyes have to strain permanently to compensate for the blurred near vision. If farsightedness is diagnosed in childhood, it should definitely be corrected, otherwise the constant adjustment of the eye can lead to inward squinting in affected children. People with farsightedness also tend to need reading glasses earlier than those with normal or nearsightedness.
Diagnosis and progression
To detect farsightedness, an ophthalmologist‘s determination of refractive power is used. This is also called a refraction test and can also be performed by an optometrist if farsightedness is assumed. This method makes it possible, as it were, to determine how severe the farsightedness is. In contrast to many eye diseases, farsightedness does not depend on age. Even small children can suffer from farsightedness without it being noticed and causing problems with vision. As a rule, farsightedness does not worsen with age and can be compensated for by a visual aid once it reaches a certain level. With advancing age, however, those affected notice the farsightedness more and more and feel noticeably limited in their ability to see due to this visual impairment. In this context, reinforced glasses can be helpful and prevent inward strabismus in children.
Complications
As a rule, farsightedness is not a serious condition that can be treated with the help of glasses or contact lenses. However, the further course depends strongly on the underlying disease, if present. In the worst case, the affected person can lose his vision completely. Complications usually occur when the affected person does not use his or her visual aid. In this case, the complaints are usually only intensified, so that the patient’s vision continues to decrease. Farsightedness can lead to restrictions in the patient’s everyday life and thus to a reduced quality of life. Strabismus can also occur as a result. Especially in children, strabismus can also lead to depression or bullying or teasing. When farsightedness is treated, there are usually no complications. In adulthood, the condition can be treated with laser surgery so that vision is fully restored. There are also no complications and the disease does not affect the patient’s life expectancy. Even without laser treatment, farsightedness can be limited with visual aids so well that there are no further limitations in everyday life.
When should you go to the doctor?
If the affected person notices changes in his or her vision, a follow-up visit to a doctor is advisable. Hypersensitivity to light, blurred vision, and general changes in usual vision should be checked and controlled. If the person affected notices any impairment of his or her vision in direct comparison with people in his or her immediate environment, he or she should discuss the observations with a doctor. If headaches, tension in the neck or inflammatory disorders in the area of the head occur, there is a need for action. The complaints should be understood as warning signals. If the above-mentioned health impairments occur more frequently, the cause must be investigated further. If vision diminishes during the course of the day, this is considered unusual. If objects or people cannot be seen although they are directly in front of the affected person’s field of vision, a visit to the doctor is necessary. Pain of the eyes or a burning sensation in the area of the eyes should be examined immediately. If reductions of the impairments are shown with a decrease of overexertion, the affected person himself can supportively become active for the improvement of his eyesight in addition to a medical treatment. If the general risk of accidents is increased due to the reduced vision, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If people who already use an instrument to improve their vision notice changes, they should also consult a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
Several therapeutic options are available for the treatment of farsightedness. These are used depending on the age of the affected person and the extent of visual impairment. Basically, treatment-type measures aim to correct the refraction of the eyes to the extent that unrestricted vision is possible. The focal point of the eye(s) must be directed so that it lies in front of the retina in the case of farsightedness. As a result, normal sharp vision is achieved in farsightedness with the appropriate treatment or a visual aid. This can be achieved either by wearing glasses with so-called converging lenses or by wearing suitable contact lenses. The final correction of farsightedness without external visual aids is achieved by procedures successfully performed in refractive surgery. Within one surgical procedure, farsightedness can be corrected by using a laser.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent farsightedness only to a limited extent. Recommendable and directly effective procedures are unfortunately not known so far. However, it is important to take care of the eyes and have them treated when farsightedness becomes known. Especially in young children, unrecognized farsightedness is often a trigger for the children to start squinting and for the position of the eyes to change. Timely examination of children’s eyes for the possible presence of farsightedness can prevent this consequential damage.
Follow-up
Because farsightedness is not a disease, it does not require treatment.With the use of fitted glasses or contact lenses, the muscles in the eye are relieved. Thus, the symptoms are significantly alleviated. Regular eye tests ensure that changes in farsightedness are detected in time. This prevents the recurrence of symptoms in the long term. This is provided that there are no other refractive errors or actual diseases. In addition to farsightedness, for example, angle refraction, uncorrected corneal or lenticular curvature (astigmatism), as well as an unrecognized disease can also be decisive for headaches, dizziness. Vision tests can be done at an ophthalmologist or the local optometrist. So-called optotypes, such as numbers or letters, are shown. On the basis of this, a change in visual acuity can be easily detected. The refractionist who performs the eye test will also be able to determine whether a further examination is advisable. With a corrective device, spectacle lenses or contact lenses, the light is then properly directed into the eye. This is to ensure effortless and clear vision. When used for the first time, a period of acclimatization may be required, depending on the refractive error, age and physical condition of the farsighted person. Despite recurring inconspicuous testing of visual performance, regular preventive examinations at the ophthalmologist are not to be replaced.
What you can do yourself
Even with a well-treated farsightedness by corrective measures such as reading glasses or contact lenses, it is important to maintain vision and act accordingly preventive. It is always advisable to consult an ophthalmologist in the event of a change in the eyes, as farsighted people are at increased risk of developing glaucoma. For this purpose, the eye pressure is measured, which, by the way, is not included in the benefits catalog of the statutory health insurance, but is covered in exceptional cases. From a medical point of view, so-called “eye training” is not recommended in the meantime, since training of the eye muscles has no effect on the visual acuity of the eyes. It is much more important to use your visual aid regularly and to consider beforehand in which situations of everyday life you need it. For example, it is advisable to keep glasses in the car when driving. It is also a good idea to keep your glasses handy at your desk so that they become an integral part of your everyday life. Reading or looking at the window should not be done without a visual aid. A strap on the glasses allows the wearer to have them close at hand at all times. This prevents unnecessary searching. Due to the frequent use, it is not left out to replace various wear parts on the glasses at regular intervals. Opticians offer free minor repairs – such as replacing discolored nose pads located on the lower frame of the glasses.
