Hypermetropia is a condition that can impact a person's ability to see objects up close, and it often requires correction through eyeglasses or contact lenses.
“In hypermetropia, objects near to children appear blurry, but their distant vision is clear. In such a condition, children may feel that their eyes often get tired, and they have difficulty focusing on objects up close. This could be hypermetropia, where the light entering your eye's back part, the retina, doesn't focus properly, and it tends to fall behind the retina,” said Dr Aarti Nangia, MBBS, MS - Ophthalmology.
What Is Hypermetropia?
Hypermetropia is a refractive error of the eye that makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Unlike myopia (nearsightedness), where distant objects appear blurry, hypermetropic individuals experience blurred vision when looking at objects up close. This condition occurs when the eye is shorter than normal or when the cornea has less curvature than needed for proper focusing.
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What Causes Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia can be caused by several factors, including:
- Eye Anatomy: Hypermetropia often results from the physical characteristics of the eye. A shorter eyeball or a flatter cornea can lead to light entering the eye and focusing behind the retina rather than directly on it.
- Heredity: Genetics can play a significant role in the development of hypermetropia. If your parents or grandparents have the condition, you are more likely to develop it as well.
- Age-Related Hypermetropia: As people age, the lens in the eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects. This age-related hypermetropia is known as presbyopia and typically affects individuals over 40.
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Symptoms of Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia can present a variety of symptoms, including:
- Difficulty with Close-Up Tasks: Reading, sewing, or using a computer may be challenging due to blurred vision when focusing on nearby objects.
- Eye Strain: Hypermetropic individuals may experience eye strain, headaches, and fatigue when attempting to read or perform tasks up close.
- Blurry Vision: Objects up close may appear fuzzy or out of focus.
- Squinting: Straining to see better by partially closing the eyelids is a common instinct for those with hypermetropia.
Treatment Options
Hypermetropia can be effectively managed with various treatment options, including:
Prescription eyeglasses with convex (plus) lenses are a common and highly effective way to correct hypermetropia. These lenses help to refocus light properly onto the retina.
Soft or rigid gas permeable contact lenses can provide clear vision for hypermetropic individuals. Your optometrist can help determine the best type of contacts for your needs
Procedures like LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) can reshape the cornea, correcting hypermetropia. However, these surgical options should be carefully considered and discussed with an eye care professional. As presbyopia often accompanies hypermetropia with age, reading glasses may be prescribed to help with close-up tasks.
Hypermetropia, or farsightedness, is a common eye condition that can be effectively managed with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and appropriate treatment of hypermetropia.
If you experience any symptoms of hypermetropia, consult an eye care professional to determine the best course of action for your visual needs. Proper correction can significantly improve your quality of life and daily activities, allowing you to see the world more clearly.