Hyperopia or Hypermetropia

Long-sightedness, or hyperopia, is a refractive error of the eye that can be compensated for or corrected. Book a consultation today & find out how laser eye surgery can help.

450+ 5-Star Patient Reviews:

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness) 1
Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness) 2

What is Hyperopia (long or far-sightedness)?

If your spectacle prescription begins with a plus number e.g. +1.00 you are hyperopic.

Hyperopia results when either the length of the eyeball is shorter than average or the cornea is flatter than average or a combination of the two. A far-sighted person can see distant objects clearly, often very clearly, but has difficulty seeing objects close to e.g. reading or seeing food clearly. People who are far-sighted often experience symptoms of eyestrain or fatigue when performing work at close range.

When the crystalline lens is able to accommodate or focus, even quite large amounts of hyperopia can be naturally compensated for without the person being aware of this. Only later in life when the lens loses flexibility does this become apparent with much earlier onset of presbyopia. If the amount of hyperopia is different between the eyes this can affect ocular alignment and cause a strabismus or squint. Hyperopia can also lead to one eye failing to develop normal neural corrections so that a normal level of vision is not achieved, this is called amblyopia or a ‘lazy eye’. Hyperopia increases with age independently of presbyopia but hyperopia will bring the symptoms of presbyopia forward so that glasses for reading and close tasks will be required much sooner.

  • When the eyeball is too short, the light rays are focused behind the retina.
  • Nearby objects appear blurry, distant ones are clear.
  • Hyperopia tends to increase in frequency with age
  • Women are more likely to be hyperopic than men
  • Hyperopia is associated with astigmatism, amblyopia and worse binocular vision 
Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness) 3
Hyperopia causes blurred vision at short distances.

Hyperopia Correction

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness) 4

Spectacles provide a short-term solution to hyperopia correction and for low levels of hyperopia when vision is otherwise normal are typically worn from the 30’s onwards for close work. High index lenses are often chosen to reduce the weight of hyperopic prescriptions. Contact lenses provide much more visual freedom but as hyperopia is often associated with presbyopia glasses may be required as well as contact lenses for close tasks. 

LASIK and ASA are all methods employed to correct hyperopia accurately and safely. ASA or LASEK is similar to PRK and was the first excimer procedure to be performed to correct vision, visual outcomes are the same as the others but surface treatment have a slightly slower and less comfortable recovery. The Mel®90 excimer laser is able to compensate for angle kappa correction as is the Visumax® femtosecond laser offering an extra level of accuracy for correction of hyperopia. Laser vision correction can offer additional benefits such as improving peripheral vision which can feel more natural than with spectacles which magnify the image. 

The ICL procedure employs a thin, biocompatible Collamer® lens to sit behind the iris (so that it is not visible), in front of the natural crystalline lens (so that accommodation is preserved) and can correct hyperopic errors from +0.50D to +10.00. It is an effective alternative if the cornea is unable to support laser vision correction. 

Precise measurements are made of the eye when cataract or lens replacement surgery is planned. Correction of hyperopia and astigmatism will be factored into the calculation of intra-ocular lens power, whichever type of lens is selected. As many people who are hyperopic are also presbyopic your medical consultation will include a thorough assessment to determine your visual aims and your suitability for multifocal or extended depth of focus lenses will also be assessed. 

Hyperopia FAQs

As hyperopic people will require involuntary effort to focus, symptoms can include ocular fatigue, difficulty in concentrating on close work, tension and headaches. 

Hyperopia can be diagnosed by a comprehensive eye examination which may include a cycloplegic exam where eyedrops are used to temporarily prevent accommodation. Far-sighted people often have good distance vision so visual screenings which concentrate on distance vision testing may not detect hyperopia. 

No, like presbyopia correcting vision fully will not make hyperopia worse. For children it is important to correct hyperopic errors if recommended by a specialist to do so as this may be an important part of preventing the development of a lazy eye or strabismus. AS an adult, not wearing glasses will not make the condition worse but your eyes will be working harder to focus and symptoms of eyestrain may result.  

Precise measurements are made of the eye when cataract or lens replacement surgery is planned. Correction of hyperopia and astigmatism will be factored into the calculation of intra-ocular lens power, whichever type of lens is selected. As many people who are hyperopic are also presbyopic your medical consultation will include a thorough assessment to determine your visual aims and your suitability for multifocal or extended depth of focus lenses will also be assessed. 

Excellent 5-Star Reviews

Peter
Excellent result extremely satisfied
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I was extremely short sighted in my left eye minus 10.5 which with appropriate contact lens did still not give me good vision. I had several consultations with David Anderson as I was rather nervous of surgery due to a previous unfortunate experience with my right eye. David had not been involved with my right eye surgery. David was very reassuring and gave me confidence so I went ahead and had the surgery. Excellent result extremely satisfied. I would definitely recommend a consultation.
Juliet
Life Changing Surgery
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Yes cataract surgery is scary but David and his team were wonderful. David listened very carefully to what I wanted to achieve and patiently answered my detailed questions. He worked closely with my optician so that I could try contact lenses of different prescriptions to see which suited me best. In the end I had one eye adjusted for distance/normal vision and one eye for reading. My surgery was 2 months ago and everyone was kind and patient. It took time to get use to my new eyes but I now don't need glassed for the first time since I was 12 years old! I am completely use to my eyes now and don't notice that I have had anything done other than I don't wear glasses which is life changing! I would definitely recommend David and would like to say a BIG Thank You!
Dean
My optician referred me
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I am absolutely delighted with the total lens replacement surgery I had at Anderson Eye Care. From my first consultation with Mr. Anderson, through to surgery and aftercare, my experience was of the highest professional quality. The procedure itself was painless quick and very relaxed. I unreservedly would recommend Mr. David Anderson and his team at Anderson Eye care. I now have 20/20 vision, which speaks for itself!
Peter
Extremely impressive
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Extremely impressive professional experience from the initial consultation, to the surgery and post operative follow up. An absolute model in every respect for every health care professional to digest. The team atmosphere at Eastleigh Nuffield was brilliant from start to finish. Their team camaraderie is obvious and can’t be faked. My personal outcome is perfect. Many thanks to David and the Nuffield team.
Sharon
Very pleased with cataract procedures
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Mr Anderson has carried out cataract surgery on both of my eyes. I had my right eye done first. A year later, when it was time to have my left eye done, I only wanted Mr Anderson to carry out the procedure. On both occasions I discussed what I wanted the outcome to be, and Mr Anderson delivered exactly. The procedure was painless and quick. I am very pleased with the outcome. I found Mr Anderson and his staff very comfortable and reassuring to be around. I have no reservations in recommending Anderson Eye Care.
Merilyn
My optician referred me
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My optician referred me urgently to the Eye Hospital but it was going to be a wait of several months to be seen so I came to David Anderson privately. The initial consultation was reassuring and without pressure and I decided to go ahead with cataract surgery. It worked well having the eyes done a week apart and was an easy experience. I had a worry after the second one and was seen quickly and reassured about it. All is well now.
Gareth
I am now completely glasses free
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I was referred to Mr Anderson by my optician. I found him to be extremely personable and professional and was immediately reassured by his calm manner. He recommended refractive lens exchange, in both eyes. I was a little apprehensive pre op, but all the staff were reassuring, and the op itself was painless, and over very quickly. (probably around 15 minutes) I could see the results almost immediately. 4 weeks on and after 55 years of spectacle wearing the results are amazing. From a prescription of +9.5 I am now completely glasses free even for reading. Thank you
Customer
Happy 20/20 Vision!!!!
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I am absolutely delighted with the total lens replacement surgery I had at Anderson Eye Care. From my first consultation with Mr. Anderson, through to surgery and aftercare, my experience was of the highest professional quality. The procedure itself was painless quick and very relaxed. I unreservedly would recommend Mr. David Anderson and his team at Anderson Eye care. I now have 20/20 vision, which speaks for itself!
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