Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Eye Health Center

Font Size
A
A
A

Farsightedness (Hyperopia) - What Happens

Farsightedness (hyperopia) most commonly starts in early childhood. But normal development and lengthening of the eyeball during early childhood corrects the condition. If the child is still slightly farsighted when the eye has finished growing, around 9 years of age, the eye can usually make up (accommodate) for the remaining refractive error, allowing the child to see better.

If a child who is farsighted is not able to accommodate for the refractive error and has problems with vision, eyeglasses or contact lenses may be needed. In adults, surgery that either changes the shape of the cornea or replaces the lens in the eye may be used to restore normal vision.

Recommended Related to Eye Health

What Your Eyes Say About Your Health

Are the eyes “windows to the soul,” as the ancient proverb has it? Maybe, but they are certainly portals through which one can glimpse signs of certain health problems -- not only eye disorders like cataracts and glaucoma, but also systemic illnesses like diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Sometimes the signs of these diseases are visible in, on, or around the eyes long before symptoms appear. “The eyes truly are unique real estate,” says Andrew Iwach, MD, associate clinical professor...

Read the What Your Eyes Say About Your Health article > >

Farsightedness can often go unnoticed until middle age. Around age 40, the muscles controlling the lens become too weak to compensate for farsightedness. At the same time, the loss of flexibility in the lens limits your ability to focus. This stiffening of the lens and change in how well the muscles work is called presbyopia. As presbyopia occurs and reduces the eyes' ability to compensate for a refractive error, farsightedness becomes apparent. A farsighted person will begin to have trouble with close work. As presbyopia increases, near and distance vision will become blurred, until glasses or contacts are required for both.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses will correct farsightedness. But symptoms of farsightedness will still likely get worse as you grow older.

Farsightedness increases the risk for strabismus, or crossing of the eyes, and amblyopia, which occurs when one eye is not used enough and the visual system does not develop properly.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: November 05, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Next Article:

Farsightedness (Hyperopia) Topics

Today in Eye Health

businesswoman wearing fun eyeglasses
Slideshow
Pink Eye Slideshow
Slideshow
 
Woman with itchy watery eyes
Slideshow
grilled salmon and spinach
Video
 

Understanding Stye
Article
human eye
Article
 
eye
Video
eye exam timing
Video