Hyperopia ( Farsighted )
Farsightedness
Hyperopia – also known as “farsightedness” – is the ability to see things from a distance, but not up close. It is the opposite of myopia (near sighted), which is another refractive vision disorder, along with astigmatism (distorted vision).
Hyperopia Causes
Farsightedness is a hereditary condition, but is also age-related. It is present throughout childhood, but people with hyperopia usually do not notice symptoms of farsightedness until early adulthood, when the muscles of the eye can no longer control it. The inability to see close objects is due to a misshaped eye, in which the eyeball is too short, or the cornea is too flat. This causes the image to come into focus late, after it has passed through the retina.
Farsightedness Treatments
There are three main options for those with hyperopia: Contacts, Glasses and Refractive Surgery. Photo refractive keratectomy ( PRK ) was briefly the most common refractive procedure for Hyperopia. LASIK eye surgery, however, quickly became the most popular surgical treatment for Hyperopia once it was approved by the FDA. Both procedures use the eximer laser to reshape the eye by removing corneal tissue. The most notable difference is that Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) removes tissue from the surface of the eye, while LASIK surgery removes tissue from under the surface, beneath a thin “flap” cut into the eye by either intralase or microkeratome. The flap covers the affected area, which promotes faster healing and less scar tissue.
Although LASIK is the most popular refractive surgery procedure for hyperopia, your Ophthalmologist may suggest PRK for a variety of reasons. In certain circumstances, he/she may even rule out refractive surgery altogether, depending on your condition. You should discuss your options with an ophthalmologist to determine if LASIK surgery is right for you as a treatment for Hyperopia.
