Long-sighted
Long sightedness or hyperopia is when someone can see better in the distance (long) but has more trouble up close. However when very long-sighted even the distance vision is blurred.
Children who are long sighted often have trouble seeing up close first and may experience feelings of eye strain or headaches when reading.
Some common symptoms include
- tired eyes
- headaches
- difficulty concentrating
- the page goes in and out of focus
- blinking a lot
- holding things too close
How do we measure this?
Long-sightnedess is detected during our eye examination where we look at both distance and reading vision as well as how the eyes work together and focus.
How is it corrected?
Long-sightedness can be corrected with spectacles and/or contact lenses but most commonly just with spectacles. Often long-sightedness is associated with a near focussing problem so the spectacles recommended may have a stronger portion for reading a type of multifocal lens.
A small level of hyperopia is able to be compensated by the eyes focussing system but when tired or if the hyperopia increases the visual system can no longer cope leading to headaches or eyestrain.
Do eye exercises help?
Sometimes eye exercises can be supportive but usually with glasses making the difference.
How does hyperopia change with age?
For some children their level of hyperopia decreases as they grow older. For others it seems to get worse until it it reaches a point of stability at around 18 years of age. Everyone is different so it is important to keep having regular checks to make sure you continue to see as well in the future as you have in the past.