Is Lasik for You

Farsighted (Hyperopia)

Also known as hyperopia, farsightedness occurs when your eye is too short in relation to the curvature of your cornea.  In other words, if you are farsighted, your eye is shorter and flatter than it should be.  Light rays entering your eye focus behind the retina, producing a blurred image.  Some farsighted people can use their focusing muscles to pull the image forward onto the retina, allowing them to see clearly.  But others, who cannot overcome the effects of severe hyperopia, may need glasses for distance vision as well as reading glasses or bifocals.

Farsightedness is relatively common, affecting about one in four people. Usually, it’s an inherited condition. Some people have very mild cases of farsightedness that may not even require corrective eyewear, and some patients have cases that are so severe they may need very thick glasses.  It is essential that children be given an eye exam by a professional optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine if they are farsighted.  If the condition is severe and left untreated, it can lead to other problems, such as amblyopia, commonly referred to as “lazy eye,” or strabismus (crossed eyes).

The most common symptoms of farsightedness are blurred vision when looking at objects close to the eyes.  Distant objects are usually seen more clearly; however, in severe cases, these can also appear fuzzy.  Some mildly farsighted individuals are unaware of their conditions because the eye’s lens can naturally accommodate it.  But as they get older, symptoms of farsightedness tend to get worse, and they, too, will most likely need treatment.

Treating Farsightedness

Many farsighted patients find that their eyesight deteriorates slowly over time. Although this is quite normal, it can be frustrating for someone who grew up with good vision to find they now need glasses to read and perform close work.  NVISION Laser Eye Centers can treat farsightedness with LASIK or PRK surgery, which usually means no more glasses, annoying contact lenses, or headaches from overworked eyes forcing images into focus.

This can make an enormous difference to everyday life—simple tasks such as showering, swimming or playing with children become easier and less of a worry. And there are obvious benefits for anyone actively involved in sports.  Many formerly farsighted patients also find it helps in social situations, as faces are easier to recognize and read without glasses.

The vast majority of farsighted patients will meet the conditions for laser vision correction surgery.  In order to determine if you are a candidate, please contact one of our patient care coordinators today.   If LASIK is not right for you, there are alternatives forms of treatment, such as PRK, intraocular lens and others that may be appropriate for you. NVISION doctors are very thorough in evaluating if you are a good candidate for laser vision correction and will be happy to discuss the potential outcome and risks involved for a patient with your particular prescription.
