Hyperopia

Definition

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects are seen more clearly than close ones. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, causing light to focus behind the retina.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hyperopia is often caused by an eyeball that is too short.
2. The condition can be corrected with convex lenses in glasses or contact lenses.
3. It can also be treated using refractive surgery such as LASIK.
4. Symptoms of hyperopia include difficulty focusing on close objects and eye strain.
5. Unlike myopia, hyperopia means that light focuses behind the retina rather than directly on it.

Review Questions

• What structural abnormality in the eye causes hyperopia?
• How does hyperopia affect the focal point of light entering the eye?
• Name two methods used to correct hyperopia.

Related terms

myopia: A vision condition where close objects are seen clearly but distant ones are blurred due to light focusing in front of the retina.

astigmatism: An imperfection in the curvature of the eye's cornea or lens causing blurred or distorted vision.

presbyopia: An age-related condition where the eye's lens loses elasticity, making it difficult to focus on close objects.