​Hyperopia

Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, is an eye disorder in which you can see distant objects clearly but cannot focus on the objects close by, making them appear blurry.

In hyperopic eyes, the curvature of the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye, and the curvature of the lens, which change shape to help the eyes focus, is not perfectly smooth. As a result, light is not focused perfectly on the retina and the light rays focus behind the retina. This makes hyperopia a refractive error, which means it’s a problem with the focusing ability of the eye and not a disease per se.

Hyperopia is a genetic disorder, with many children born with it. As they grow older, however, the eyeball lengthens, and the farsightedness improves.


Since hyperopia is a disorder which impacts your vision for objects close by, symptoms are mostly associated with looking at nearby items. Some of the signs and symptoms of hyperopic people include:

  • Straining the eyes when working at close range

  • Headache and fatigue when observing something close by for an extended time period

  • Nearby objects appear blurry

  • Aching around the eyes if you may have been squinting or straining your eye for long

If you encounter these symptoms even though you may be wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses, it could indicate that you need an eye exam and a new prescription. ​


If you have been facing these symptoms for a few weeks, you must consult an eye specialist. In extreme cases, far sightedness can affect your ability to complete tasks and significantly affects your quality of life. It can also be a safety hazard, especially if you have hyperopia and you drive without prescription glasses.

Vision problems may be difficult to identify, especially in the initial stages. As a general rule, you must get a basic eye exam done at around 40 years of age. Follow-up exams should be conducted every two to four years, with the frequency of having your eye sight checked increasing as you age. ​
Your time with your doctor may be limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started. ​
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Your medical history will help your doctor make an initial diagnosis of your disorder. Further eye exams will be conducted to check for the presence of hyperopia. This includes an eye exam whereby your doctor will assess your vision with the help of various lenses which you’ll be asked to look through. In some cases, a refraction exam will be conducted to assess the exact extent of hyperopia so that the right treatment method can be prescribed.

The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital of Pakistan, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, instruments and devices to help make an accurate diagnosis for hyperopia. Cooperate with your ophthalmologist (eye specialist) as your eye exam is being conducted to help the doctor evaluate your disorder. ​
Hyperopia is usually treated with the help of corrective lenses, which could be in the form of prescription glasses or contact lenses. Depending on the extent of farsightedness, you may have to wear these all the time or only when doing or watching something in close range, for example when reading or working on a computer. In young children, no treatment may be prescribed at first as the eyes’ lenses can adjust naturally as one grows. For older people, however, with less flexible lenses, prescription lenses will be required.

Refractive surgery, which may be laser-assisted (LASIK) may also be recommended as a treatment option if you wish to avoid wearing glasses or contact lenses. There may be complications of these procedures, such as incorrect correction of your problem or visual side effects, such as starburst. You must discuss all possible risks in detail with your doctor prior to the procedure. ​
The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.
 
The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.
 
The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​
Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage. ​
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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.