What is Farsightedness?

Here’s help understanding this common refractive error.

portrait of young adult male wearing glasses drinking coffee

Farsightedness is a vision condition where people can only see objects at a distance clearly. They may have trouble focusing on objects that are near to them. The clinical term for farsightedness is hyperopia, though most eye doctors will refer to the condition as farsightedness.

What are the Symptoms of Farsightedness?

If you have blurred vision when you attempt to see objects up close - reading, sewing or working on the computer - but can see perfectly well at a distance, you may be farsighted. Those who are farsighted may experience more vision problems at night or in the dark than they do during the daytime.

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How is Farsightedness Diagnosed?

In order to determine if you are farsighted, you will need an eye exam by an optometrist. During this eye exam, the optometrist will be able to determine how well you see close-up as well as at a distance. Your visual acuity will determine your prescription level as well as whether you are farsighted or nearsighted.

Will I Always Need Vision Correction?

For very mild cases of farsightedness, eyeglasses or contact lenses may not be needed. However, most people will experience less eye strain, eye fatigue and headaches by addressing their farsightedness even if it is very slight.

What Happens After the Eye Exam?

After your eye examination, your eye doctor can write a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. You may find that you don’t need to wear the glasses all the time and only require them when doing tasks that require you to focus on close objects. Some with higher degrees of farsightedness may find they need vision correction at all times.

If you suspect any vision changes or problems with your vision, your first step should be to make an appointment with an optometrist. A comprehensive eye exam can determine the best course of action to restore your vision to its fullest potential.

Schedule an eye exam today.