Farsightedness – Hyperopia

Farsightedness is a vision disorder characterized by blurred near vision. Farsightedness, which is usually a congenital refractive error, is caused by the eye being too short.

Improving Farsightedness, Including Regular Eye Exams

Farsightedness, which is usually a congenital refractive error, is caused by the eye being too short. People who are farsighted can usually still see well at a distance, while objects nearby appear blurred. For those who are nearsighted, it is exactly the opposite: objects nearby appear sharp, while those at a distance are blurred.

Normal farsightedness can be caused by two different factors: axial hyperopia or refractive hyperopia. If the eyeball is actually shortened, axial hyperopia occurs, which limits vision. If the refractive power in the corneal-vitreous-lens system (optical apparatus) is too low, refractive hyperopia can occur. It is advisable for all those affected to have their eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist.

Examples of Farsightedness – Hyperopia

Objects that are very close can only be seen blurred by people with farsightedness (also known as hyperopia or hypermetropia).

Treatment Options for Farsightedness

Treatment Options:

Farsightedness can be improved using various methods.
Eyeglass lenses or contact lenses compensate for the refractive error.
In certain cases, surgery can even cure farsightedness. The goal is for the patient to be able to see clearly without glasses.
By combining several methods, farsightedness can often be treated effectively.

Surgical Correction of Farsightedness

In surgical therapy procedures, the cornea is permanently flattened with a laser.
The laser procedures are called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, or LASEK.
In the best-case scenario, nearsightedness can be cured with laser procedures.
Farsightedness can be corrected with a laser up to a strength of +4 diopters.

Laser Procedures for Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

There is a vast range of eye laser procedures that differ to varying degrees. These can be divided into two main groups: superficial and deep procedures. The main difference lies in the approach and the target tissue layer. The most important and current procedures are the following:

Femto-LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis)

Femto-LASIK is the most frequently performed laser treatment and lifestyle surgery with the highest level of patient satisfaction. Under local anesthesia, a thin lamella, approx. 0.1 mm thick (flap), is first prepared on the surface of the cornea using the Femto-LASER. This takes about 25 seconds. The eye is kept open by a lid speculum (you cannot close the eye).…

Trans-PRK (Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy)

With Trans-PRK (also called SmartSight), the correction is performed on the surface of the cornea without contact or incisions, under local anesthesia and while a lid speculum keeps the eye open. The epithelium (the cells of the corneal surface that constantly regenerate) is also automatically removed with the laser. Previously, these were removed manually by the surgeon (PRK method).…

Intraocular lens implants: correction of higher refractive errors

In addition to laser treatments, refractive errors can also be corrected very precisely by implanting artificial lenses in the eye, in addition to the eye’s own lens (phakic lenses). These treatments have been performed for 30 years and have already been carried out several million times. The global trend toward implantation is constantly increasing. Indications: • More severe refractive errors • Also for minor corrections if…