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: 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. Nonetheless, hyperopia can still cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches after activities like reading, writing or using a computer.
Signs and symptoms that may signal your child is farsighted include:
- Viewing books, mobile phones, computer screens or tablets by holding them at arm's length.
- Difficulties with reading, learning, or paying attention at school.
- The constant need to squint to keep images and objects in focus.
- Regular complaints that images or objects appear blurry at close distance.
- 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. Treatment options include:
- Eyeglasses — By far the most common treatment for hyperopia in children.
- Bifocal/Multifocal Glasses — These glasses contain two or more lenses of different strengths, for both near and far vision.
- 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 Powell eye doctors at EyeCare Professionals of Powell today.