Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when light rays entering the eye are focused behind the retina, rather than directly on it. This may happen because the eyeball of a farsighted person is shorter than normal and/or the cornea is flatter than normal. Many children are born with hyperopia, and some “outgrow” it as the eyeball lengthens with normal growth.
Farsightedness is a fairly common vision problem. Initially, people with hyperopia can see distant objects very well, but have difficulty seeing objects up close. Later in life, their distance vision deteriorates as the lens loses its ability to accommodate. Often this condition is not detected early in life because the young eye is able to compensate by altering the internal lens of the eye.
Sometimes people confuse hyperopia with presbyopia. Presbyopia is difficulty seeing near objects as a result of an age-related decrease in accommodation.
