If you can see things better in the distance than up close, you are farsighted. Farsighted and farsigntedness are called hyperopic eyes which have a better focus for distance but are often blurred even, for distance, particularly as you get older.
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Mild amounts of hyperopia (up to +2.00 Diopters to +3.00 Diopters) in younger patients under 40 are often not noticed as the eye has a mechanism (known as accommodation) for focusing the image. (The term Diopter is commonly referred to with a “d”, so as an example, a prescription would read “+2.25D” or “+2.25 d”).
In general, after the age of 40, the amount of accommodation decreases each year. Most mildly farsighted people around the age of 40 will first need glasses to read, but will eventually need glasses for both near and distance (either with bifocals glasses or two separate pairs, one for reading and one for distance). Higher amounts of hyperopia, usually above +2.00 Diopters or +3.00 Diopters usually will require correction with glasses or contact lenses early in life. These patients will also require either two separate glasses or bifocals at around age 40. Many people confuse Farsightedness with Presbyopia.
Surgical Procedures to Reduce Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
Mild and Moderate Cases of Farsightedness (+2 Diopters to +5 Diopters). Laser vision surgery procedures like LASIK, PRK, LASEK, and EpiLasik are capable of correcting only up to about + 5 Diopters of farsightedness (Hyperopia).
Severe Case of Farsightedness. Higher amounts of hyperopia (over +5 Diopters) are usually best corrected by replacing the natural lens of the eye with an implant. Lens implant procedures are similar to cataract surgery but is performed only to correct the refractive error in eyes without cataracts. This refractive surgery treatment is referred to as Refractive Lensectomy (RLE) or Clear Lensectomy (CLE).
No single ophthalmology treatment is right for every case of farsightedness. Always speak with an experienced vision correction surgeon to consider the best available options before making your choice.
Laser eye surgery may not always be the best option so it is important to find an experienced eye surgeon like the ones in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons DirectoryTM, most of whom perform a variety of refractive surgery procedures to give patients a more complete range of options. To learn more about these vision correction surgical treatments for farsightedness, please clink on the links below:
Surgical Procedures to Reduce Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Laser Vision Correction Surgery
- LASIK uses a laser to steepen the cornea, correcting hyperopia up to +6.00 diopters, providing clear near and distance vision for patients with mild to moderate farsightedness.
- PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) reshapes the cornea with a laser to correct hyperopia up to +6.00 diopters, ideal for patients with thin corneas or those unsuitable for LASIK.
- ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation) is a flapless laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct hyperopia up to +6.00 diopters, suitable for patients with thin corneas or active lifestyles.
- Other Laser Vision Surgery Procedures
- LASEK combines LASIK and PRK techniques, reshaping the cornea to correct hyperopia up to +6.00 diopters, suitable for patients with thin or irregular corneas.
- EpiLasik ses a specialized blade to reshape the cornea, correcting hyperopia up to +6.00 diopters, designed for patients with thin corneas or LASIK contraindications.
Lens Implants
- Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) replaces the natural lens with an artificial implant to correct hyperopia, offering a permanent solution for patients over 40 or those with high prescriptions unsuitable for laser surgery.
- Premium and Monofocal Lens Implants: Please visit our IOLs discussion to learn more about lenses used in this procedure.
- Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs): A new technology that uses light to fine-tune your vision after implanting this premium lens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Q: What is hyperopia (farsightedness)?
A: Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects are often clearer than close ones. This occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. TrustedLASIKSurgeons.com offers expert solutions for hyperopia.
Q: Can LASIK eye surgery correct hyperopia?
A: Yes, LASIK can effectively correct hyperopia by reshaping the cornea to steepen its curvature, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina and improving near vision. A thorough consultation with a Trusted LASIK Surgeon is essential to assess your eligibility for hyperopia correction with LASIK.
Q: Is PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) suitable for farsightedness?
A: Yes, PRK is an effective option for correcting hyperopia, particularly for patients with corneal irregularities or those who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK. PRK reshapes the corneal surface to correct the refractive error. Consult a Trusted LASIK Surgeon to compare PRK and LASIK and determine the best approach for your farsightedness.
Q: How much does hyperopia correction treatment typically cost?
A: The cost of hyperopia treatments like LASIK or PRK can vary based on factors like the technology used, the surgeon's experience, and geographic location. For a comprehensive understanding of what influences pricing and what to expect financially, we highly recommend exploring our detailed resources. Learn more about the True Cost of LASIK and utilize our Consumer Checklist for LASIK Cost to help guide your decision-making process.
Q: Are lens implants an option for hyperopia, especially severe cases?
A: Yes, lens implants, particularly Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE/CLE) with advanced intraocular lenses (IOLs) like Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs) or other premium IOLs, are excellent options for correcting moderate to severe hyperopia. This procedure involves replacing the eye's natural lens with an artificial one to achieve clear vision at various distances. Find a Trusted LASIK or Cataract Surgeon offering advanced lens implants to explore these solutions.
Ready to See Clearly? Find a Trusted Expert Today!
Don't let farsightedness impact your daily life. Connect with a top-vetted surgeon and explore your personalized vision correction options.
To find an expert vision correction surgeon who has qualified to be listed at Trusted LASIK surgeons, and is an expert in the treatment of Hyperopia, go to:
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Important Disclaimer: Confirming Procedure Offerings & Technologies
While nearly all LASIK surgeons in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons® Directory perform various laser vision correction procedures, and most offer other refractive surgery procedures, not all surgeons provide every option. Similarly, for surgeons that offer cataract surgery, RLE/CLE, and other lens implants, some may specialize in advanced technologies like EVO ICLs and Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs), while others may not. We strongly encourage you to contact the individual surgeon you find in this directory directly via their profile page or practice to confirm the specific procedures, technologies, and services they offer to ensure it aligns with your vision correction needs.
We invite you to review our qualification process, each surgeon's profile, and select your LASIK., cataract or other refractive surgeon with confidence.
To learn more about screening process and standards used by Trusted LASIK Surgeons® to qualify surgeons please visit: