Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Farsightedness or hyperopia, affects about 10% of the people in North America. Farsighted people may see things in the distance, with extra focusing effort, but they cannot see clearly up close, unless they are young and use additional effort. Farsightedness is a focusing problem usually resulting from an eye that is too short.

Because of the reduced length, the muscles adjusting the lens may fatigue, or the lens may not be able to respond enough to focus the light rays. The retina thus receives a blurred image of light. The noticeable effects of farsightedness increase with age as the inner lens loses its ability to vary its focus to compensate for the problem.

Most focusing problems like farsightedness can be corrected with corrective lenses or refractive surgery.