Farsightedness (hyperopia) simply explained

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common refractive error that affects many people. People with it have difficulty seeing close objects clearly, while distant objects appear sharp. This condition can significantly impact daily life, causing problems with reading and other close-up tasks.

In this post, we explain what farsightedness is, the different types, and its causes and symptoms. We also compare it with other refractive errors such as nearsightedness and astigmatism, discuss the associated risks and everyday limitations, and outline the various diagnostic and treatment options. Finally, we look at the modern laser eye treatments for farsightedness that are offered in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.

What is farsightedness? A concise explanation

Farsightedness, also called hyperopia or hypermetropia, is a refractive error in which nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects are seen clearly.

This visual impairment usually occurs when the eyeball is too short or the eye’s refractive power, particularly that of the lens, is too weak. As a result, light is focused behind the retina rather than directly on it, causing nearby objects to appear blurred. In contrast, people with normal vision have an eyeball that focuses light precisely on the retinal surface.

Farsightedness may be congenital or may develop over the course of life due to a loss of elasticity in the lens. Young people can often compensate for it through their eyes’ ability to accommodate, whereas later in life reading glasses are needed to see clearly.

Types of long-sightedness

Farsightedness can be classified into several types based on their causes and the structures of the eye they affect. The two main types are refractive hyperopia and axial hyperopia.

Refractive hyperopia occurs when the cornea or the eye’s lens has insufficient refractive power. This causes light to be focused behind the retina, resulting in blurred vision up close. This type of farsightedness can be hereditary or may develop later in life.

Axial hyperopia occurs when the eyeball is too short. In this case, light is focused behind the retina, making it difficult to see nearby objects. This form of hyperopia is often congenital and can become apparent early in life.

Special form of age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia)

Presbyopia, also known as age-related farsightedness, is a specific form of farsightedness caused by the natural aging of the eye’s lens. From around the age of 40, the lens’s elasticity begins to decline, reducing the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. As a result, affected individuals have difficulty seeing small print or close objects clearly.

Presbyopia is caused by a reduced accommodative ability of the lens, which is controlled by the ciliary muscle. With age, the lens becomes less flexible and the ciliary muscle weakens, making it harder to focus on nearby objects. Typical symptoms include blurred vision during close-up work, headaches, and eye strain when reading.

Presbyopia is usually treated with reading glasses, progressive glasses, or contact lenses. There are also modern procedures, such as multifocal intraocular lenses and laser treatments like the PRESBYOND® procedure, which can improve vision. Presbyopia affects many people as they age and is a normal age-related change that can be well corrected, allowing clear vision later in life.

Causes of hyperopia

Farsightedness (hyperopia) can be caused by various anatomical and genetic factors. One common cause is an eyeball that is too short, which causes light to be focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. This refractive error can be congenital or develop later in life. A refractive error of the lens (refractive hyperopia) or presbyopia can also underlie blurred near vision, in which incoming light rays are not correctly focused on the retina.

In some cases, genetic factors and familial predisposition can contribute to the development of farsightedness. It is therefore important to have regular eye examinations, especially if there is a family history of refractive errors. An ophthalmologist can determine whether hyperopia is present through a refraction test and other examinations and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Interestingly, many young children are temporarily farsighted. This is because their eyes are still growing and developing. Often, farsightedness corrects itself as the eyes lengthen and their refractive power adjusts.

Symptoms of long-sightedness

Farsightedness (hyperopia) can cause a range of symptoms that vary depending on the severity of the refractive error. A primary sign is blurred vision, particularly when looking at near objects. People with hyperopia often have difficulty seeing near objects or small print clearly, while distant objects often appear clear.

Other (secondary) symptoms include eye strain and headaches resulting from the eye’s constant effort to produce a sharp image. This overexertion may also cause a burning sensation in the eyes and general fatigue, especially after prolonged near work such as reading or using a computer.

Children and young people who are farsighted often squint or narrow their eyes to see better because their eyes must accommodate constantly. In severe cases, untreated farsightedness can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye), in which the vision of one eye becomes permanently impaired.

Another symptom may be constant blinking or rubbing of the eyes in an attempt to improve visual acuity. These signs often indicate a refractive error and warrant examination by an ophthalmologist to accurately determine visual acuity and prescribe appropriate visual aids.

Refractive errors compared: long-sightedness, short-sightedness and astigmatism

Farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and astigmatism (irregular curvature of the cornea) are the most common refractive errors that affect vision. Here are the key differences and similarities among these refractive errors:

Refractive error	Causes	Symptoms
Long-sightedness (hyperopia)	eyeball too short, weak refractive power of the lens	blurred vision of nearby objects, headaches, eye strain
Short-sightedness (myopia)	elongated eyeball, increased refractive power of the lens	blurred distance vision, eye strain
Corneal astigmatism (astigmatism)	irregular curvature of the cornea or the lens	Distorted or blurred vision at all distances; headaches.

Risks and limitations in everyday life

Farsightedness can lead to various risks and limitations in everyday life, especially in cases of severe farsightedness. A common consequence of this visual impairment is difficulty with activities that require near vision, such as reading or working at a computer. This sustained effort can cause chronic eye strain, headaches, and eye pain.

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a serious risk. It can occur if farsightedness remains untreated in childhood. In this case, the vision in one eye does not develop properly, which can lead to permanent vision problems.

Long-sightedness can also increase the risk of more serious eye diseases such as glaucoma: glaucoma (also known as “green star”) is a condition caused by increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. One possible cause is a thickening of the ciliary muscle, which can result from constant accommodation.

In everyday life, people with severe farsightedness may have difficulty focusing on nearby objects, which can make routine tasks challenging. They often need visual aids, such as glasses or contact lenses, to improve their vision. These aids are necessary to live a normal life and to carry out activities such as reading, writing, and working without difficulty.

Measurement and diagnosis – eye examination for suspected hyperopia

Hyperopia can be diagnosed through a series of tests and examinations, some of which are also performed by opticians. The process usually begins with a vision test that measures visual acuity at various distances. During this test, the patient is asked to read letters or symbols at different distances to assess near and distance vision.

Another important examination is the refraction test. In this test, a phoropter is used to place lenses of varying refractive power (measured in diopters, dpt) in front of the eye to assess the eye’s response to the different lens strengths. This helps determine the exact prescription and the required corrective lenses.

A comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist may also include pupil dilation. Eye drops are used to dilate the pupils, allowing the ophthalmologist to examine the retina and optic nerve more closely. This is important to rule out other possible causes of vision problems, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.

Another diagnostic procedure in ophthalmology is retinoscopy, which involves shining a light into the eye to observe how it is reflected by the retina. This provides information about the eye’s refractive error and helps determine the appropriate corrective lens.

Regular eye examinations are crucial, especially if you experience symptoms like blurred vision, eye strain, or headaches. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the risk of long-term vision loss.

Contact Lenses, Glasses and More: Treatment Options

Farsightedness can be treated in several ways to improve vision and relieve symptoms. The most common treatments are glasses and contact lenses, which correct the eye’s refractive error and produce a sharp image on the retina.

Glasses for long-sightedness

Lenses for farsightedness are convex (plus) lenses designed to refract light correctly and focus it on the retina. They are easy to handle and provide an immediate improvement in visual acuity. Glasses also protect against dust and UV rays.

Contact lenses for hyperopia

Contact lenses work similarly to eyeglasses: they refract light and focus it on the retina. They sit directly on the cornea and provide a natural field of vision without the restrictions of a glasses frame. Contact lenses are ideal for sports or for people who do not want to wear glasses. However, they require careful maintenance to avoid infections and dryness.

Laser eye surgery for long-sightedness

Laser treatment may be considered for a more permanent solution. Procedures such as LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) change the shape of the cornea to correct refractive errors. In some cases, a lens exchange (refractive lens exchange) may also be performed, replacing the natural lens with an artificial one. The PRESBYOND® procedure, for example, has produced good results in the laser treatment of presbyopia.

Laser eye surgery for long-sightedness – treatments in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe

Bányai Neue Augen offers a range of advanced laser and lens treatments to effectively correct farsightedness. Here are the main methods available at the centers in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe:

Femto LASIK

Femto LASIK (femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is an established method for correcting long-sightedness. In this procedure, a thin flap is created in the cornea with a femtosecond laser and folded back. An excimer laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to correct the eye’s refractive power.

ICL lenses (implantable contact lenses)

For patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK, Bányai Neue Augen offers implantable contact lenses (ICLs). These lenses are placed behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural lens and correct refractive errors without altering the cornea. ICLs are an excellent solution for patients with high degrees of farsightedness or thin corneas who cannot undergo laser treatment.

PRESBYOND®

PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is an innovative treatment specifically designed for patients with presbyopia. This method corrects one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision, allowing the brain to combine the two visual inputs into a single sharp image. As a result, patients can see clearly both near and far, reducing the need for reading glasses. The procedure also corrects intermediate distances—such as computer screens, car dashboards, and navigation systems—so that almost all distances are clear without visual aids.

To determine before your visit to the ophthalmologist whether you are a candidate for laser treatment for long-sightedness, we offer a straightforward online suitability test. Alternatively, you can book an appointment directly at one of our laser eye centers in Karlsruhe or Stuttgart, where we’ll review your options for clear vision and determine the best laser method for your needs.

Bányai Neue Augen offers state-of-the-art technologies and comprehensive care at its eye laser centres in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. With over 27 years of experience and more than 51,000 successful laser procedures, patients can be confident that they are in competent hands.

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