Hyperopia (Long-sightedness)
Symptoms, causes, treatment, and when to see an optician
Overview
Hyperopia, commonly known as long-sightedness or far-sightedness, is a refractive error in which nearby objects appear blurred while distant objects may initially remain clearer. It occurs when the eyeball is slightly shorter than normal, or when the cornea or lens has insufficient focusing power. Many young people with mild hyperopia can compensate through the eye's natural focusing ability (accommodation), but this becomes more difficult with age, and symptoms may gradually become apparent.
Symptoms
- Difficulty focusing on close-up objects such as books, phones, or computer screens
- Eye strain and fatigue, particularly after prolonged near work
- Headaches, especially after reading or screen use
- Blurred vision at near distances, and in higher prescriptions, at distance too
- Aching or tired eyes by the end of the day
- Children with hyperopia may have difficulty reading or concentrating at school
- Squinting or frowning to try to focus
Causes & Risk Factors
- The eyeball being shorter than normal from front to back
- The cornea or crystalline lens having insufficient focusing power
- Genetics — hyperopia tends to run in families
- Certain medical conditions, including diabetes (which can cause temporary hyperopic shifts)
- Previous eye surgery
Treatment Options
Mild hyperopia in young people often requires no treatment, as the eye's natural accommodation can compensate. However, if symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, or difficulty concentrating at near distances are present, glasses with convex (plus-powered) lenses are prescribed. In children, uncorrected hyperopia can contribute to the development of squint (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia), so early detection and correction are important.
Contact lenses are a practical alternative to glasses for many people with hyperopia. Both soft daily disposable and reusable monthly lenses are available in plus powers, and multifocal contact lenses can address hyperopia combined with presbyopia in older adults. Your optometrist or contact lens practitioner will advise on the most suitable lens type for your prescription and lifestyle.
Laser eye surgery (LASIK or LASEK) can correct hyperopia in suitable adults, though the range of treatable prescriptions is somewhat narrower than for myopia. Refractive lens exchange (RLE) — in which the natural lens is replaced with an artificial one — may be recommended for older patients with higher hyperopia, particularly if early cataracts are also developing. All refractive surgery options in the UK are privately funded.
Prevention Tips
- Hyperopia is predominantly genetic and cannot be prevented
- Have children's eyes tested from age three onwards, as uncorrected hyperopia can affect learning and development
- If your child has been prescribed glasses for hyperopia, ensure they wear them as directed to prevent amblyopia
- Attend regular eye tests so your prescription stays up to date — symptoms can change with age
When to See an Optician
Book an eye test if you or your child experience difficulty with close-up tasks, headaches after reading, or if a child is struggling at school — hyperopia is straightforward to diagnose and correct with an eye test.
Key Facts
- Category
- Refractive error
- Typically Affects
- All ages (often present from birth; symptoms may increase with age)
- Key Symptoms
- 7 identified symptoms
Concerned about hyperopia (long-sightedness)?
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Detecting Hyperopia (Long-sightedness)
The following eye tests can help detect signs of hyperopia (long-sightedness):
- Standard eye test
- OCT retinal scan
- Visual field test
Protect your vision with a regular eye test
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