Hyperemtropia is a refractive error that affects vision, causing Blurred vision of
objects that are in a close distance.
In general, objects that are at a far distance can be see clearly since even if this
visual defect exists, the visual system of the eye is capable to make the effort and get the objects to focus well and see them clearly. As the years go by, the eye
loses this ability to focus. and see clearly with effort and is no longer able to see
distant objects. For this farsightedness can also cause blurred vision of distant
objects.When we are born, the visual system is hyperopic as long as we Our
bodies grow, so do our eyes. Therefore, if the eye grows less than necessary, the
eye will always be farsighted. But the usual, is that as they grow, the visual system has an ideal measurement for Being able to see near and far objects well.
CAUSES
The main cause of farsightedness is that light rays coming from the outside and
entering the eye are not focused on the retina but behind the retina.
A person who does not have any refractive defect, the light rays coming from the outside will focus right on the retina and there is a sharp vision of the surrounding objects. In contrast, a person who is farsighted cannot see objects sharply due to the focus of the light coming from the outside.
This can be due to several factors:
- The cornea or crystalline is less curved than usual. That is, by not having
an adequate curvature, the rays passing through the cornea and the
crystalline do not focus on the retina. - The eyeball: it is shorter than usual. For the same reason, the rays that come
from the outside and pass through the cornea and crystalline, do not focus
on the retina because the eyeball is shorter.
Farsightedness is always present from birth and as the years go by, it desappears.
However, there might be children that still have this hyperopia but can
compensate it because their visual system is flexible, which helps them
compensate and see clear all the distances. As the years go by at older ages, you may need to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct the refractive defect.
If a young person is farsighted, they can see clearly in the distance and perceive near objects using their eye muscles because a young eye is capable of activating the eye muscles and make the effort to see well, but as they get older, these abilities will diminish and blurred distance and near vision will begin.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- Blurred vision: Difficulty focusing on objects at a close distance.
- Ocular strabismus: children who suffer from hyperopia and do not have
this refractive defect corrected can strain their visual system and be able to
focus well on objects. Sometimes, it is not possible for them to make effort
and when it comes to focus on objects, the visual system finds it easier to
divert one eye and be able to see well with only one eye than to make the
effort for both eyes to see well. To put it easily, the child’s visual system
chooses the easier option. - Eye fatigue: when the visual system itself is straining to see well, it can
cause headaches a and a feeling of eye fatigue and heaviness in the eyes. - Conjunctival hyperemia: due to the continuous efforts throughout the
day, it can produce reddening of the eye.
HOW TO DETECT BLURRED VISION OR LAZY EYE IN CHILDREN?
As we have already mentioned, farsightedness is a refractive defect that is normal
and completely natural at birth in children. As the years go by, this hypermetropia
should gradually disappear as the eye grows. There are cases of children that the
farsightedness does not disappear. However, if farsightedness
in children is left untreated, it should be diagnosed as early as possible, otherwise
a condition called amblyopia may develop (blurred vision in one or both eyes due
to lack of use during ocular development) and a deviation of one eye which is
called infantile strabismus.
In the case of lazy eye that can be detected in a child, the following symptoms
can be seen:
- The child adopts unusual positions when reading or sitting. For example,
having a tendency to twist the head. - Drooping eyelid. If the child has one eyelid significantly more closed than
the other, it can be a trigger for lazy eye as it hinders the vision of the eye
and the musculature of that eye is not effective. - Deviated eye as explained above.
- Binocular dysfunction: it can be seen that the movement of both eyes is not
the same or that both eyes do not work equally. - The child’s vision of the depth of things is disturbed. This means the vision
of the volume of things. Having only the sharp image of only one eye, the
brain can override the image of the lazy eye and this affects the binocular
vision and the sensation of the depth of objects. If the child’s distance vision does not disappear at an early age, the optician will decide to correct the child’s vision by wearing glasses. Usually when farsightedness is high and causes symptoms. Also, depending on the age of the child, if the child has problems with work, sports or anisometropia (i.e. a difference between one eye and the other), , the optician may decide to use contact lenses to correct the vision.
TYPES OF HYPEROPIA
There are 3 types of hyperopia:
- Simple: This is the most common. It is a continuation of hyperopia in
children. That is, the eye has not developed enough. - Compound: the cornea is flatter.
- Mixed: the cornea is flat and the vitreous cavity is long or the other way
around.
Depending on the cause of the hyperopia it can be: - Curvature: the lens is not sufficiently curved.
- Axial: the eyeball is short.
- Index: the refractive index of the media in the eyeball is higher than
normal.
According to its manifestation: - Latent: as mentioned above, the young eye is capable of correcting this
hyperopia with the effort of the ciliary muscle of the eye and see both near
and distant objects well. This can lead to headaches and eye fatigue due to
the effort that is made throughout the day without being aware that this
effort is being made. - Manifest: when the eye is not able to correct this hyperopia and therefore
there are symptoms of blurred vision
TREATMENT
There are several ways to correct vision:
- Glasses: this is the easiest and most commonly used method of treating
visual impairment. Even if you have a latent farsightedness or a very low
value of farsightedness, their use is recommended to prevent symptoms
related to hyperopia. It is recommended in order to prevent symptoms
related to the defect such as headaches or eye pains - Contact lenses: they have the same function as glasses. It must be taken
into account that it is not recommended to use contact lenses all day long,
so if you if you work in a screen environment and you are continuously
experiencing eye fatigue due to the hyperopia you have, the best option is
glasses, as they do not interfere with dry eyes and the effects against the
symptoms are the same. - Refractive surgery: Hyperopia can be treated with laser refractive surgery
or intraocular lens implantation. Both options offer a fast and effective
solution, allowing to correct not only farsightedness but also other
disorders such as astigmatism and presbyopia.
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