Farsightedness (Hyperopia): What You Need to Know

Can’t read a menu up close without squinting? That might be farsightedness, also called hyperopia. With farsightedness your eyes focus better on distant objects than on things up close. People notice blurred near vision, eye strain, headaches, or needing to hold things farther away to read.

How doctors diagnose farsightedness

An eye doctor checks farsightedness during a regular eye exam. Expect tests like a visual acuity chart and a refraction test where the doctor switches lenses to find the right prescription. They may use an autorefractor that measures how light changes inside your eye. Kids sometimes get dilating drops so the doctor can check eye shape and focus properly.

Prescriptions for farsightedness use plus signs, like +1.50. That number tells the optician how much convex (plus) lens power you need to bring up-close things into focus. If you’re seeing double or suddenly lose vision, go to an eye clinic right away.

Treatment options and everyday tips

Glasses are the simplest fix. Reading or full-time glasses use convex lenses to move close objects into focus. Contacts work too — daily disposables and soft contact lenses are common. Rigid gas-permeable lenses are another choice for some people.

If you want a longer-term change, refractive surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. LASIK, PRK, and SMILE reshape the cornea so light lands in the right spot. For strong farsightedness or thin corneas, lens-based options like implantable collamer lenses (ICL) or clear lens exchange are available. Talk to an eye surgeon about risks, recovery time, and realistic outcomes.

Kids need early checks. Moderate-to-high hyperopia can cause lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossing of the eyes (strabismus). Treating kids early with glasses or patching reduces those risks and helps learning and development.

Adults often notice farsightedness plus presbyopia — the age-related loss of near focus. That can mean switching between distance and reading glasses or choosing multifocal contact lenses. Your optometrist can help mix solutions so you’re not juggling multiple pairs.

Simple daily habits cut eye strain: use good lighting, keep screens at arm’s length, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes, and hold reading material at a comfortable distance. If headaches or blurry vision persist even with glasses, return to your eye doctor — the prescription might need updating or there could be another issue.

If you’re shopping for eyewear or surgery, compare clinics, ask about follow-up care, and check patient reviews. A clear diagnosis, a current prescription, and realistic expectations are the best path to seeing better.