Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Treatment Overview

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Treatment Overview

Most people with farsightedness (hyperopia) don't require treatment. Glasses or contacts can improve vision if needed.

Corrective lenses refocus light on the retina. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the treatment of choice for most people with farsightedness. Both are safe and effective, and are less risky and less expensive than surgery. Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses specify both the shape and power of the lens. Some people find that eyeglasses do not provide the same quality of central or peripheral (side) vision as contact lenses.

If your eyes are able to accommodate for farsightedness, you may experience headaches or eyestrain from the effort of accommodation. Eyeglasses that correct for farsightedness may not change your vision, but they may relieve your other symptoms.

Surgery for farsightedness aims to change the shape of the cornea so that light is focused directly on the retina. Procedures available to correct farsightedness include H-LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia (H-PRK), thermal keratoplasty, and conductive keratoplasty (CK). Farsightedness can also be corrected by intraocular implants. See the Surgery section of this topic for more information.

See a general listing of the advantages and disadvantages of:

• Eyeglasses. While eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to correct farsightedness, eyeglasses can be easily broken or lost.
• Contact lenses. Contact lenses provide predictable vision correction, but they can increase the risk of corneal scratches and infections and can be easily lost or damaged.
• Surgery. Although you may no longer need to wear glasses or contacts after surgery, some people do still need enhancements or corrective lenses after surgery. Surgery also carries risks, such as infection.

What To Think About

Most people who are farsighted don't need treatment. Whether you treat farsightedness depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether your eyes can accommodate for them.

Other considerations may affect your choice of treatment.

• Will the treatment affect your work or career? Some jobs (aircraft pilot, for example) may not allow certain corrective treatments. Be sure to check with your employer, or a professional organization or society in your field, before making a decision.
• If you actively participate in contact sports—such as boxing, football, wrestling, or martial arts—in which blows to the head, face, and eyes can occur, talk to your doctor about which treatment will work best for you.
• Certain health conditions and medications may affect the outcome of surgical treatments. For example, diseases that impair the immune system and some medications may prevent proper healing after surgery. Other conditions, such as pregnancy, diabetes, or the use of steroid medications, may cause changes in vision (refractive instability).
• Certain conditions in the eyes may affect your choice of treatment. For example, people who have a history of glaucoma, keratoconus, inflammatory eye diseases, herpes simplex keratitis, or past eye injuries or surgeries should avoid laser surgery to correct farsightedness.

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Last updated:	December 19, 2005
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer