In hyperopia (synonyms: Axis hypermetropia; Axis hyperopia; Refractive hypermetropia; Refractive hyperopia; High hyperopia; Hypermetropia; Hyperopia; Congenital hypermetropia; Congenital hyperopia; Congenital hyperopia; Latent hyperopia; Manifest hyperopia; Neonatal hyperopia; ICD-10-GM H52.0: Hypermetropia) is farsightedness of the eye. By definition, this refers to a mismatch between the refractive power and the axial length of the eyeball, causing the incident rays to meet at a focal point behind the retina. This leads to the fact that on the retina only a blurred picture is shown. Thus, only objects far away from the eye can be seen sharply.
Hyperopia is not a disease, but a norm variant of normal eye development.
A distinction can be made between:
- Axis hyperopia – too short eyeball and normal refractive power.
- Refractive hyperopia – normally long eyeball and too low refractive power; there are the following special forms.
- Lenticularity due to lens luxation
- Lenticularity after cataract surgery
Hyperopia is present in approximately 20% of those under 30 years of age (< + 4 to + 5 dpt.). With age, the eye tends to shift towards myopia. Newborns also usually have mild hyperopia (neonatal hyperopia), but this declines in the first years of life.
Frequency peak: Hyperopia is a disease of older age. However, children and adolescents can also be affected.
Course and prognosis: Hyperopia in children and adolescents can be compensated unconsciously for a long time (accommodation; adjustment of the refractive power of the eyes). However, this is associated with overexertion and may lead to eye pain, headaches, blurred vision and rapid fatigue over time. If hyperopia is not detected in time at a young age, strabismus convergens (inward strabismus) may develop. As the ability to accommodate decreases with age, hyperopia becomes apparent with increasing age. In contrast to myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia is rarely progressive. It can be well corrected by glasses or contact lenses.