Farsightedness

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a common eye condition that may cause you to have blurry close-up vision. People with hyperopia:

• Typically have an easier time seeing objects that are far away (at least 6 meters, or almost 20 feet).
• Have difficulty focusing their eyes on things that are close up.

People with a high degree of hyperopia may have blurry vision at all distances.

The shape of your eye determines whether you have some degree of hyperopia. Factors include the length of your eye from front to back (axial length) and the curvature of your cornea (the front “window” of your eye). Your eye shape affects how your eye receives and processes light to allow you to see.

You can’t control the shape of your eye, and hyperopia isn’t an eye disease. Healthcare providers consider it an eye focusing disorder because it affects how your eye focuses light. Hyperopia is common and correctable.

If you notice it’s hard to see things up close, contact an ophthalmologist or optometrist. They’ll do a simple, painless exam to check your vision and see if your eyes need a little help to focus properly. Eyeglasses, contacts and surgeries are all available based on your needs and preferences. Your provider will talk through the options with you and help you find the best fit.

How common is hyperopia?

Globally, hyperopia may affect about 4.6% of children and 30.9% of adults, according to one analysis. The exact prevalence varies based on the research study because researchers use different methods to calculate the number.

For example, including people over age 40 in the study can raise the prevalence. That’s because being over age 40 raises your chances of developing presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). While presbyopia also causes blurry close-up vision, it results from a different underlying cause (age-related changes to your lens).