Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a condition in which your eyes struggle to see objects up close while appearing sharper at a distance.
This can cause difficulties with reading, writing, and working on a computer, as well as frequent headaches, eye strain and blurry vision when focusing on nearby objects.
What causes farsightedness?
Farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. Several factors contribute to this, including:
- Shorter eyeball shape
- Flatter cornea
- Thin or less curved lens
- Genetics
- Aging
Signs you might have farsightedness
Recognizing the signs of farsightedness early can help you seek the right treatment and protect your vision. Here are some common symptoms:
Difficulty reading small texts
One of the most noticeable signs of farsightedness is the inability to see small print or close objects clearly. You might find yourself holding books or devices at arm’s length to see them better.
Eye fatigue
People with farsightedness often experience eye fatigue, especially after tasks that require close focus, such as reading or working on a computer. This fatigue can also cause tension or pain around your eyes and forehead.
Frequent headaches
Headaches, particularly after reading or doing close-up work, are a common symptom. These occur because your eyes are working harder than usual to focus on nearby objects, leading to strain and discomfort.
Blurry vision at close range
If you have farsightedness, nearby objects may appear blurry, making it difficult to see details up close, even though distant objects might be clear.
Difficulty with everyday tasks
Farsightedness can make daily activities like using your phone, sewing, or writing more challenging, impacting your productivity and quality of life.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. They can diagnose the problem and recommend solutions such as glasses, contact lenses, or even eye surgery like LASIK to improve your vision.
For more information or if you have questions about farsightedness, you can make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
National Eye Institute (2023). Farsightedness (Hyperopia). Available from: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/farsightedness-hyperopia
Cleveland Clinic (2023). Hyperopia (Farsightedness). Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hyperopia-farsightedness
WebMD (2022). Hyperopia (Farsightedness). Available from: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/farsightedness
Troy Bedinghaus, OD (2024). 13 Causes of Blurry Vision and Headache. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/vision-and-headache-3422017
Samuel Otabor Wajuihian (2024). Exploring Correlations between Headaches and Refractive Errors in an Optometry Clinic Sample. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10768566/