Hyperopia in Greenbelt & Bowie, MD

Approximately one-quarter of people in the U.S. have hyperopia, which is often referred to as farsightedness. Being farsighted means that a person has mild to severe difficulty with seeing close-up. For example, words in a book might be blurry, or you might need a magnifying glass to remove a splinter. However, people with hyperopia can usually see more distant things, like televisions and street signs, perfectly clearly.

At Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons, our experienced team of optometrists can properly diagnose your farsightedness and make sure you know about all of your options for treatment. Schedule your appointment for an eye exam at our Greenbelt or Bowie, MD office today. 

The most common symptom of hyperopia (farsightedness) is the difficulty or inability to see objects, images, or words that are too close to the eyes. This means that activities, like reading, using a computer, or looking at a mobile device for long periods, can cause significant eye strain. Many patients put off having their farsightedness treated until their eye strain begins to cause headaches and aching eyes. For patients who have been prescribed glasses or contact lenses for hyperopia but have started experiencing headaches or eye strain again, it is probably time to renew your prescription.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) occurs when a person's eyeballs are not long enough from front to back. This causes the curve of the eyeball to slightly misdirect light into the eye. Most patients with hyperopia are born with it, and it tends to be hereditary. However, many children with hyperopia will outgrow the condition as their eyes continue to grow and change. While hyperopia and presbyopia are both conditions of impaired close-up vision, they aren't actually the same condition. Presbyopia develops after the age of 40 for most individuals.

At Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we treat farsightedness with prescription lenses (glasses or contacts), as well as laser vision correction. When you come in for your eye exam, one of our eye care professionals will discuss each option with you so you can choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. 

Laser surgery is a safe, effective treatment that can improve or correct your hyperopia. However, it's important to note that there are more criteria that must be met to perform laser surgery for hyperopia than for myopia (nearsightedness). If we determine that laser surgery is an option for you, we can then schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified ophthalmologists so they can create your surgical plan.

For those having difficulty focusing while reading or using a mobile device or computer, hyperopia (farsightedness) might be the issue. Further, if you still have headaches or aching eyes, even though you've already gotten prescription lenses, your prescription might be outdated. Eye strain and eye fatigue can become worse and more painful if hyperopia is not treated so it's important to get a proper diagnosis and the right prescription. Contact Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons in Greenbelt or Bowie, MD to schedule your exam.