Farsightedness - hypermetropia

When focusing on near objects becomes difficult

Farsightedness or hypermetropia is an eye disorder which makes it difficult to focus on near objects. The eye has more and more trouble focusing at short distances, because the lens becomes less flexible or the eye socket is too short.

Farsightedness is a normal part of ageing

Farsightedness is inherited. A quarter of the population suffers from this disorder. Farsightedness is a progressive disorder. At birth you can see everything perfectly well from 5 cm. At the age of seventy your eyes cannot focus on anything closer than 2 metres. The culprit is the lens, which becomes less flexible. Farsightedness is also possible at a younger age.

The consequences of farsightedness

• Your close-up vision is blurred and out of focus.
• You suffer from headaches and have problems concentrating, especially in the evening.
• Your eyes burn and are red.

Farsightedness and other eye disorders

If you are farsighted, you probably have difficulty focusing on nearby objects. If so, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. Vryghem. He will make the right diagnosis, and will immediately check your eyes for other disorders. Because farsightedness often goes hand in hand with astigmatism – especially if you are older than forty.

Improving farsightedness

Farsightedness is a normal part of the ageing process which begins between the age of forty and fifty. In the first ten years hypermetropia develops quickly, stabilising thereafter. Fortunately there are ways to correct farsightedness: glasses are the most obvious option. If you are farsighted at a young age, then refractive eye surgery or a laser operation should be considered. Dr. Vryghem will tell you all about it.

Farsightedness in a nutshell

• Farsightedness or hypermetropia is a disorder of the lens.
• You cannot focus on objects that are nearby.
• Farsightedness is a normal process of ageing.
• There are various ways to correct farsightedness.

If you think you might have hypermetropia, contact Dr. Vryghem. Or visit our clinic. Then you can see it with your own eyes.