Hyperopia (Farsightedness) near Chicago, IL

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is one of the most frequently treated types of vision problems. Around a fourth of people in the U.S. are affected by hyperopia. Hyperopia results in the diminished ability to focus on things that are near the eyes, such as mobile devices or images. Activities like crafting and even things like tweezing can be very challenging. Just like nearsightedness, the degree of hyperopia can be diagnosed as slight to significant and may lead to other undesired symptoms that can impact you quite frequently. At Kirk Eye Center, our professional eye care team can examine you for farsightedness and talk with you about all of your possible treatment choices for better vision. Schedule your appointment at our River Forest or Gurnee, IL facility for your full vision exam.

For the most part, farsightedness is hereditary. The impaired close-up vision of farsightedness is the result of the curve of either the eyeball or of the cornea. When the eyeball is not long enough from front to back, it impacts the curvature of the eye, causing problems with how light enters the eye. Similarly, if the cornea is not round enough, the light coming into the eye can't arrive at the retina correctly. Usually, hyperopia is there at birth, though children may eventually outgrow their hyperopia as their eyes continue maturing.

Patients who have hyperopia may not even be conscious of it until their close-up vision starts to be hazy. A diminished ability to focus on things close to the eyes is usually the most dominant symptom of being farsighted. However, farsightedness that isn’t affecting vision yet or has been neglected does usually result in eye fatigue, also known as asthenopia. Individuals who wear glasses or contacts for hyperopia but are still having these symptoms are advised to plan an eye exam to find out whether their prescription should be revised.

During your checkup at Kirk Eye Center, we will do a total eye assessment to learn about your general eye health. The tests we perform to establish whether you have hyperopia are the exact same as those done to check for nearsightedness. These basic tests generally involve the person simply demonstrating how well they can make out the letters on an eye chart, plus one or two tests to determine if light is hitting the retinas the right way.

The possible treatment choices for farsightedness allow everyone to opt for either corrective glasses or contact lenses based on their daily routines. Our board-certified optometrist and ophthalmologists frequently recommend that patients go with a combination of the two for different activities. Certain people who are farsighted may also be eligible for refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK. Once your screening is complete, your doctor will tell you whether laser surgery is an effective option for you to obtain long-term clear vision.

When does hyperopia typically develop?
Farsightedness may begin to develop in the early childhood years, but could resolve itself as a child grows. Additionally, after age 40, the eyes may have issues focusing on nearby objects. This age-related hyperopia is often referred to as presbyopia.

What happens if hyperopia goes untreated?
In some cases, hyperopia resolves itself, especially in young children. Many children or adolescents may not even require glasses or contacts for their farsightedness. However, this is far from a certainty. All people with hyperopia should see an ophthalmologist. If it is untreated, it may lead to lazy eyes, crossed eyes, blurred vision, or vision loss.

What is the most common treatment for farsightedness?
The vast majority of hyperopia cases can be managed with glasses or contact lenses, and this is the most prescribed treatment for farsightedness at Kirk Eye Center. However, refractive laser surgery such as LASIK or PRK can also be employed to alleviate more severe cases of hyperopia.

Those who have hyperopia can have trouble with many of their necessary activities, causing frustration both at work and at home. Getting the corrective lenses you need to clarify your vision can make a positive difference in your overall happiness. Call Kirk Eye Center in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to plan your comprehensive eye exam.