Hyperopia in Cape Coral, FL

Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, is one of the most wide-spread visual impairments in the United States. About one-fourth of Americans live with hyperopia. Individuals with farsightedness are unable to see things clearly that are close up or nearby. For example, reading or texting on a phone is challenging as these objects appear blurry to those with hyperopia. The severity of hyperopia can range from mild to severe and may lead to other frustrating symptoms that can affect individuals on a daily basis. Luckily, you can choose from a few different treatments to manage your hyperopia and improve your vision. At Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida, our seasoned ophthalmologist, Dr. James Croley, can perform a comprehensive eye exam and review all of your treatment options. Contact our office in Cape Coral, FL today to schedule your exam.

People who have hyperopia may not even notice it until their close-up vision becomes blurry. The inability to focus on items near the eyes is usually the most dominant evidence of being farsighted. However, undiagnosed hyperopia or mild cases can often lead to eye strain, also known as asthenopia. The consistent strain on the eyes is usually caused by working on certain tasks, like studying, writing, or using the computer. These kinds of activities can cause symptoms, like trigger headaches, dry and aching eyes, and pain in the upper body. Those who currently use corrective lenses for hyperopia but are still experiencing these symptoms are advised to schedule an eye exam to determine if their prescription needs to be changed.

For the most part, farsightedness is genetic. The blurred near vision of farsightedness is the result of the shape of either the eyeball or of the cornea. If the whole eye is smaller than normal, it reduces the contour of the eye, causing problems with how light hits the retina. Likewise, if the cornea is not round enough, light coming into the eye can't be focused by the retina properly. Typically, hyperopia is present from birth, but children can sometimes grow out of their farsightedness as their eyes keep growing. Hyperopia is often mistaken for presbyopia. Both impairments affect close-up vision, but they are two different issues. Presbyopia refers to reduced close-up vision due to the hardening of the eye’s lens. Presbyopia develops with age and is generally present in those past 40.

During your visit at Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida, Dr. Croley will do a complete eye assessment to check your general eye health. Your assessment will include common vision acuity tests to see if you have any refractive vision impairments, such as farsightedness. The tests we do to determine whether you are farsighted are the same tests performed to determine the presence of nearsightedness. These standard tests almost always involve the person describing how accurately they can make out the lines on an eye chart, plus a couple of tests to establish whether light is being focused on the retinas properly. They are all finished quickly and do not cause any pain. In the event that we detect hyperopia, our staff will then do tests to create an appropriate prescription for your glasses or contacts.

Farsightedness is generally treated with prescription glasses or contacts. When determining which option may be best for you, Dr. Croley will also consider your activity level and personal preferences. Typically, Dr. Croley will suggest that you use a combination of both for different activities. Glasses and contact lenses usually provide a dramatic improvement in vision acuity and many patients are often amazed by the change that corrective lenses bring. 

Those who live with hyperopia can struggle with performing simple, daily activities, resulting in frustration and even anxiety. Getting the corrective glasses or contacts necessary to restore your vision can bring about an amazing difference in your general well-being. Visit us at Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida for your complete eye exam with Dr. James Croley. He has helped numerous Cape Coral, FL residents achieve their most accurate vision. We also have locations in Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs.