HYPERMETROPIA
Hypermetropia is a vision condition in which light is focused behind, instead of on the retina.
- People suffering from hypermetropia are able to see distant objects clearly while objects that are nearby are blurry.
- Hypermetropia results in blurry vision, primarily at near distance, but it can also affect distance vision depending on its severity
- Also known as farsightedness or hyperopia, hypermetropia may be severe or mild.
- People with mild hypermetropia may be able to see objects that are closer, while those with severe hypermetropia may see clearly only objects at a great distance away.
- In children, severe hypermetropia may cause strabismus (crossed eyes) if not properly diagnosed and treated.
- There are three classifications of hypermetropia: simple, functional and pathological
- Simple hypermetropia occurs naturally and is solely due to abnormally short or small eye.
- Pathological hypermetropia is caused by trauma, abnormal development or disease of the eye such as cataract.
CAUSES
- Two parts of the eyes focus image, the cornea, and the lens.
- The cornea and the lens has a perfectly smooth curvature, in normally shaped eyes.
- They both work together to bend or refract incoming light and focuses that light onto the retina
- This means that all incoming light bends (refracts) to make a sharply focused image directly at the back of the eye, on the retina.
- A cornea and lens that are not evenly and smoothly curved do not refract light rays properly. This is known as a refractive error.
- Hypermetropia occurs when the eyeball or lens is shorter than normal or the cornea is curved too little.
- This allows light rays to stay focused behind the retina instead of on the retina.
- Hypermetropia is usually present at birth and may tend to run in families.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of hypermetropia include:
- Nearby objects may appear blurry
- Headaches or eye discomfort after a long interval of conducting close tasks such as working on a computer, reading or writing.
- Eye strain including burning eyes and aching around or in the eyes
- Difficulty seeing with both eyes
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis may include a comprehensive eye assessment including a refractive evaluation and an eye health exam to be performed by an eye care professional.
TREATMENT
Corrective lenses including glasses and contact lenses or refractive surgery can all correct hypermetropia.
Corrective lenses refract or bend the light entering the eye in a way that the image is focused onto the retina.
Corrective lenses may include eyeglasses or contact lenses
Eyeglasses are an easy and safe way to improve vision caused by hypermetropia. Eyeglasses lenses range from single vision, bifocals and progressive multifocal.
Contact lenses are worn on the eyes. Ask your doctor about what is best for you and the pros and cons of using a contact lens.
Refractive surgery includes the procedure that alters the structure of the cornea. These surgical procedure uses a laser beam to reshape the cornea, and may include:
- Laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK)
- Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
- Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Alternative medicines or therapies have been said to improve hypermetropia. Eyes exercises, vision therapy, various eye therapy are some of the therapies that may help.