Far-sightedness (Hypermetropia)

This is a refractive error of the eye whereby the eye is too short or where the optical corneal and lens thickness is too low. As a result of this disproportion, rays of light meet beyond the retina and as such, the resulting image is, once again, not sharp. The optical apparatus, through its ability to accommodate (changes in the curvature of the pupil), is capable of dealing with this problem to a certain extent. This ability, however, is only limited and lessens with age. Higher dioptre errors become apparent in childhood while lower errors are usually noticed in adulthood. The patient usually experiences issues when trying to see close up objects, later on problems become apparent in seeing also into the distance. This problem is sometimes mistaken for an early onset of presbyopia. Far-sightedness is usually corrected using plus (converging) glasses or contact lenses.

In younger suitable patients needing surgical solution, the problem may be dealt with using laser corneal refractive surgery (max. +4 dioptres of cycloplegic refraction). Anatomical parameters of the eye permitting, phakic lens implantation may be performed. In patients aged 45+ it is advisable to consider refractive lens exchange.