Farsightedness

Farsightedness, also known as Hyperopia is a condition caused by an underpowered eye that focuses light behind, and not directly on the retina. The result can be a defocused and blurred image at the retina. Most people with hyperopia have flat corneas that do not focus light as powerfully; however, other “hyperopes” have normal corneas but very short eyes from front to back.

Hyperopic individuals unknowingly compensate for this condition as children by focusing the intraocular lens to bring the image into focus at the retina. Some “hyperopes” benefit from refractive correction at a young age; others only require refractive correction later in life. As we age, we lose the ability to change the shape of the intraocular lens. This is called presbyopia. Individuals with hyperopia first notice that they have more difficulty seeing near objects than farther ones. Over time, the hyperopia is fully evident and these individuals even need correction to see distant objects at their best.

Laser vision correction for farsightedness steepens the central cornea indirectly by treating the surrounding cornea. The higher the levels of hyperopia or if the cornea is too steep initially, the higher the likelihood of sub-optimal visual outcome. The latest in tracking laser technology has provided outstanding results for hyperopia with or without astigmatism and is always utilized at the Auker Eye Institute.