Hyperopia (farsightedness): quick facts and what to do

Hyperopia, also called farsightedness, means you see distant objects better than things up close. If reading small print feels hard or your eyes get tired after short tasks, hyperopia could be the reason. It’s common in kids and adults and can be mild or more serious depending on how the eye focuses light.

How hyperopia affects your vision

With hyperopia, the eyeball is a bit too short or the cornea is too flat. Light focuses behind the retina instead of on it. That makes nearby objects look blurry while distant items may stay clear. Young people often compensate by using extra focusing power, so they might not notice anything wrong until they get tired or have headaches.

Kids with untreated hyperopia can develop squint (strabismus) or lazy eye (amblyopia). That’s why schools and pediatric checkups screen for vision problems. Adults may start to see reading become harder in their 30s or 40s when natural focusing ability drops.

Wondering how bad your hyperopia is? An eye doctor measures it with a simple eye exam and gives a prescription in diopters. The number tells how much correction your eyes need.

Treatment and everyday tips

Glasses: The easiest fix is reading or prescription glasses. They’re safe, cheap, and ajustable as your vision changes. Contacts: Soft contact lenses work well for many people and give a wider field of view. Monthly disposables are popular and low-maintenance.

Refractive surgery: Procedures like LASIK, PRK, or lens exchange can reduce or remove the need for glasses. Not everyone is a candidate—tests check cornea thickness, eye health, and realistic expectations.

Children: If your child has hyperopia, follow the eye doctor’s advice right away. Early correction lowers the risk of amblyopia and helps school performance. Some kids need patching or special therapy along with glasses.

Daily tips: Hold reading material at a comfortable distance and use good lighting. Take frequent breaks during close work—try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you use screens a lot, increase text size and reduce glare.

When to see an eye doctor: Book an eye exam if you have persistent headaches, blurry near vision, eye strain, double vision, or a child who avoids close work. Regular checkups catch changes early.

What to expect at the exam: The eye doctor checks visual acuity, measures refractive error, and may use drops to relax focusing muscles for a precise reading. They’ll recommend the best correction and follow-up schedule.

Living with hyperopia is straightforward once you have the right correction. Glasses and contacts give quick relief, and surgery is an option for many adults. If you suspect hyperopia, get checked—early care makes daily life easier and protects long-term vision.