Hypermetropia

Hypermetropia

1. What Is Hypermetropia?
2. What Are Symptoms of Hypermetropia?
3. How Is Hypermetropia Diagnosed?
4. What Is the Treatment of Hypermetropia?

What Is Hypermetropia?

Hypermetropia is a refractive error in the eye. People with hypermetropia can see distant objects better but cannot focus close objects clearly. This condition develops due to shorter eyeball or flatness of cornea. In a normal eye, light is refracted by the cornea and lens of the eye and focused on the retina. The retina is the layer that perceives visual information and transmits them to the brain. However, the light is focused before the retina in hypermetropia. So, this causes blurry near vision and loss of clarity.

The hypermetropia may be associated with genetic factors, structure of the eyeball or the shape of the cornea.

It can also be related to the aging process. The hypermetropia may be a natural condition in some children and usually resolves spontaneously during growth process. However, it can require treatment in some cases. Symptoms of the hypermetropia can include nearsightedness, eyestrain, headache, blurry vision or double vision. The hypermetropia is diagnosed with an eye examination. Some treatment options are available, such as eyeglasses, contact lenses or laser surgery.

What Are Symptoms of Hypermetropia?

• Farsightedness: People with hypermetropia have difficulty in focusing near objects and see them blurry. Clear vision gets lost during activities such as reading a book, using a computer or doing something with near objects.
• Eyestrain: The hypermetropia tires the eyes with a constant effort to focus and clarify. This can manifest itself with fatigue, sense of burning or stinging in the eyes.
• Headache: People with hypermetropia may experience headaches as they constantly strive for clear focus for long periods of time. Working or reading at near distance, especially for long periods of time, can cause headaches.
• Blurry or Double Vision: The hypermetropia causes problems in the focusing ability of the eyes, which can lead to blurry or double vision. Blurry or double vision can occur at near distance.
• Eyestrain or Itching: Eyestrain or itching can be experienced by people with hypermetropia. The constant effort of the eyes to focus can cause eyestrain and discomfort.

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see an ophthalmologist and have an eye examination. The ophthalmologist can diagnose the hypermetropia and recommend appropriate treatment methods.

How Is Hypermetropia Diagnosed?

• Eye Examination: Examining your eyes closely, the ophthalmologist evaluates symptoms of the hypermetropia. An ophthalmoscope can be used to detect visual problems in the eyes.
• Refraction Test: A refraction test is an eye exam that measures your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive error measurements are used to identify eye problems such as hypermetropia, myopia or astigmatism.
• Pupil Dilatation: The ophthalmologist may use a special eye drop to dilate your pupil. This eye drop helps the ophthalmologist to better examine the lens and make the diagnosis of hypermetropia more precisely.
• Visual Tests: Visual tests can be performed by the ophthalmologist to evaluate your visual acuity and focus. These tests ensure to determine the extent and impact of the hypermetropia.
• Ophthalmoscopy: This test allows the ophthalmologist to evaluate the condition of the retina and optic nerve by examining your eye. This is important to check whether there are other eye problems associated with hypermetropia or not. An eye examination performed using these methods will confirm the diagnosis of the hypermetropia.

Once you've been diagnosed with the hypermetropia, it's important for you to contact your ophthalmologist to discuss appropriate treatment methods and evaluate treatment options.

What Is the Treatment of Hypermetropia?

Treatment of the hypermetropia vary depending on the extent of hypermetropia, age, eye health and preferences of the patient. The methods used in the treatment of the hypermetropia are as follows:

Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: One of the most commonly used methods to correct the hypermetropia is eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eyeglasses or contact lenses correct vision by allowing light to focus properly on the eye. Eyeglasses may contain special lenses for distant or near vision to correct vision problems caused by the hypermetropia.

Refractive Surgery: Another option to correct the hypermetropia is refractive surgery. The refractive surgery options include LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis). In these procedures, the shape of the cornea is corrected with laser application so that the light is more accurately focused on the retina.

Intraocular Lens Implantation: Another option for the treatment of the hypermetropia is intraocular lens implantation, which is the placement of an artificial lens inside the eye. This procedure includes artificial replacement for the natural lens of your eye. Intraocular lenses are appropriately selected and placed inside the eye to correct the hypermetropia.

Surgical Correction of Hypermetropia: A less common option for the treatment of the hypermetropia is surgical correction, which aims to change the shape or function of the eye muscles. Changing the lengths of the eye muscles or repositioning the muscles, these surgical procedures intend to improve the eye's focusing ability.

The treatment of the hypermetropia varies depending on the needs and condition of the patients. An ophthalmologist evaluates the extent of the hypermetropia and perform an eye examination to advise appropriate treatment options. It is important to consult an ophthalmologist to be informed about treatment options and decide on the right treatment method.