Far-Sightedness, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Far-Sightedness, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Farsightedness means the person can clearly see things that are far away, but things that are close-up are blurred.

The medical term for farsightedness is hyperopia.

This is an important condition because many of us have to make use of reading or magnifying glasses to see words or objects that are close to the eyes.

There are differing degrees of farsightedness, depending on the eyes' capability to focus on close-up objects.

If the person can only clearly see objects that are very far away, the person is seriously farsighted.

Risk factors of Farsightedness

1. Genetic - children of farsighted parents normally have farsightedness
   Farsightedness normally is present at birth and tends to run in families.

2. Environmental such as:
   a. Long periods of reading small characters
   b. Childhood illness may aggravate the farsightedness
   c. Poor lighting and eye strain

The causes are:

1. The globe of the eye is too short so the focus of the light coming into the eye falls further than the retina ( the pigmented cells which pick up the focus of the light and transmit to the brain as pictures) resulting in poor vision

2. Too flat curvature of the cornea or lens induces the focus of light coming into the again fall further than the retina.

3. Displacement of the lens backward can also induce the focus of the light coming into the eye to fall further than the retina.

Symptoms are:

1. Blurred vision for words or objects up close
   Nearby objects may appear blurred
2. Squinting to see better
   The person needs to squint to see clearly
3. An aching or burning sensation around the eyes
   The person has eyestrain, such as burning eyes, and aching in or around the eyes
4. A headache after reading or other tasks that need the person to focus on something up close
   The person has the general eye discomfort or headache after performing close tasks, such as reading, writing, computer work or drawing, for a time

In children, strabismus (crossed eyes) can form when significant farsightedness has not been diagnosed and corrected.

Farsightedness is diagnosed by a basic health exam including a refraction assessment.

A refraction assessment determines vision disorders such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.

First the eye doctor will test the vision at different distances with an eye chart.

1. Testing eyesight from Snellen chart
2. Computerized eyesight testing.
3. Proper examination by an eye specialist to rule out other causes of blurring of vision and astigmatism

Depending on the results, the doctor may advise a dilated eye exam.

Dilated eyes allow the doctor to see the back of the eye more clearly.

The doctor utilizes a magnifying lens or retinoscope to look more closely at the eyes.

They will also have the person look through a range of lenses in order to correct the vision, making close objects appear clearly.

The purpose of treating farsightedness is to help focus light on the retina through the use of corrective lenses or refractive surgery.

Treatment comprises correction of refractive error through:

1. Correction of refractive errors of farsightedness with spectacles
2. Contact lenses
3. Lasik
4. Keratomy

Though refractive surgery rarely produces severe complications, it is possible that it may injure the vision.

Actually, farsightedness in children often does not need to be treated.

An eye doctor may prescribe eyeglasses for a child only if:

1. There is a big difference in vision between eyes
2. They are developing strabismus (crossed eyes)
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