I've never been able to read without glasses even though I can see distances well.”
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a very common type of refractive error. About 20% of people in the United States are farsighted.
Being farsighted means you are able to see distant objects clearly, but near objects are blurred.
There are a few different things that can cause someone to be farsighted. The lens or cornea may be too flat or, more commonly, the eye itself may be too short so that light comes to a focal point behind the retina. The lens is flexible enough to correct this problem for distance vision but not for near vision, which makes distant objects clearer than near objects.
farsightedness, blurred near vision.
Most people who are farsighted wear glasses or contact lenses to read or see other close objects clearly. While glasses and contact lenses are effective, they aren’t always ideal. They can be lost or broken and they can be a nuisance during physical activities like sports or activities that require frequent switching between near and distant vision. Contact lenses require additional cleaning and care and glasses can alter your appearance.
Sometimes, later in life, people seem to become farsighted as they start to need reading glasses or magnifiers to see fine details close-up. Rather than true farsightedness, this is presbyopia.
Advanced techniques make it easier than ever to fix farsightedness permanently-often reducing or completely eliminating the need for glasses or contacts, including reading glasses.
LASIK surgery is a safe, effective option for many farsighted people. LASIK can help you improve eyesight for near and distant objects-without glasses or contacts.
If you are over 40, presbyopia surgery may be more appropriate for restoring your near vision.
For people who are over 60 and have begun to develop cataracts along with being farsighted, Cataract surgery may be the best option to improve eyesight. Modern cataract surgeries can simultaneously correct many refractive errors, including farsightedness and presbyopia. Some surgical options will even allow you to see clearly at all distances without glasses or contact lenses.
Talk with your eye doctor about which procedure is right for you.
Not sure what a particular term means? Click on words in bold to pull up the glossary tab.
Cornea
Clear, curved surface at the front of the eye through which light enters the eye. Along with the sclera (the white part of the eye), provides external protection for the eye. Often called the window of the eye. During many types of vision correction surgery, such as LASIK, the cornea is reshaped to reduce or eliminate the main types of refractive error - nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Farsighted, farsightedness (or hyperopia)
Common vision problem and type of refractive error. Caused by too little curvature of the cornea or too little distance between the front of the eye and the retina at the back. Both structural defects cause light entering the eye to focus incorrectly on the retina, resulting in blurred close-up vision. Treated with corrective lenses, laser vision correction or multifocal or accommodative IOLs.
Lens
The transparent disc behind the pupil that brings light into focus on the retina. As the eye ages, the lens often becomes cloudy and is called a cataract.
Presbyopia
Also called age-related focus dysfunction. Common vision problem that develops naturally over time. Characterized by loss of the eye's ability to focus at close distances or on fine details. Treated with reading glasses, contact lenses, presbyopia laser vision correction (also called LASIK monovision) or presbyopia lens replacement surgery.
Refractive error
Irregularities in the cornea, lens or shape of the eye that prevent correct focus at any distance.
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The Eye Surgery Education Council provides information and support to help patients and their families make an informed decision about the different types of vision surgery. Developed by members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the ESEC is backed by the knowledge and expertise of some of the nation’s leading ophthalmologists.
*Copyright © 2010 ASCRS. All Rights Reserved
This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Individuals should decide whether to have LASIK, Lens Surgery or Cataract Surgery based on consultations and advice of their eye surgeon and full discussion of the benefits and risk of the procedure. While LASIK, Lens Surgery and Cataract Surgery are generally considered to be safe and effective procedures in correcting vision, individual results may vary.
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