Hyperopia and Your Child

Does it seem that, no matter how hard they try, your child is constantly below grade level in reading? Do they constantly complain about headaches and tired or sore eyes after spending time doing close-up activities such as writing or working on a computer? They may have hyperopia, also known as farsightedness.

If it goes undiagnosed, hyperopia can significantly harm a child's school performance, make extra-curricular activities more difficult, and generally reduce their quality of life.

What Is Hyperopia and What Causes It?

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a common condition that affects people of all ages. In a healthy eye, light and other visual information enters through the lens and pupil, and is focused on the back of the eye, known as the retina. With hyperopia, however, the eye is shaped differently, causing the light that enters the eye to focus too far back, beyond the retina. This results in near objects appearing blurry, while further-away objects appear clearer.

Hyperopia occurs when one of the following issues are present: the cornea is less curved than normal, the eyeball is shorter than normal, or the lens is thinner than normal. It is largely a condition inherited from one's parents.

Symptoms of Hyperopia in Children

Often, hyperopia goes undetected in children, because children are really good at focusing their eyes to compensate for their farsightedness. Signs and symptoms that may signal your child is farsighted include: viewing books or screens by holding them at arm's length, difficulties with reading or learning, constant squinting, complaints that images appear blurry close up, and headaches or fatigue after near vision activities.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperopia

Though hyperopia can't be prevented altogether, regular eye exams can help diagnose it early. There are many options for treatment:

Eyeglasses - The most common treatment for hyperopia in children. Those with more severe hyperopia will need to wear their glasses full time.
Bifocal/Multifocal Glasses - Helpful for children who have difficulties with visual focusing due to severe hyperopia.
Contact Lenses - Usually reserved for older children who can take responsibility for the proper storage and cleaning of their lenses.

Want to learn more about hyperopia and how we can help treat it? Contact our Grove City eye doctors at Grove City Vision Center today.