Farsightedness (Long-sightedness/hyperopia): Causes, Signs, Symptoms, and how it differs from Age-Related Near Vision Loss (Presbyopia).
A picture of a farsighted lady corrected with glasses. Farsightedness , also known as long-sightedness , hyperopia , or hypermetropia , is a condition where the eye focuses light behind the retina , causing blurry vision mostly for nearby objects. It’s a common refractive error that affects both children and adults . A person with hyperopia is called a hyperope . Hyperopes may experience blurred vision at both near and far distances, although near vision is usually more affected. Most infants are born with mild hyperopia, which often improves as they grow older, but in some cases, it persists into adulthood, leading to eye strain, headaches, and the need for corrective lenses. Understanding the basics of farsightedness helps you spot the signs early and take steps to correct it. In this article, we dive deep into the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment options of farsightedness—and briefly compare it to a similar but age-specific condition called presbyopia. What causes Farsi...