Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
When To Call a Doctor
If you have a sudden change, loss, or disturbance in your vision, pain in your eye, or yellow or greenish discharge from your eye, see the topic Eye Problems, Non-injury to evaluate your symptoms. You may need immediate care.
Call your doctor for a routine eye examination at recommended intervals throughout life (see Early Detection in the Examinations and Tests section of this topic) or if:
- A child or teenager has symptoms of farsightedness (hyperopia) or any complaints of blurry vision.
- Existing farsightedness in an adult suddenly becomes worse.
- You have a change in your ability to tolerate your contact lenses (for example, you can no longer wear them for usual periods of time).
Watchful Waiting
Identifying and treating farsightedness early may prevent children from having trouble in school and in social settings. Farsightedness also increases the risk for crossed eyes (strabismus) in children. Proper glasses can correct this and prevent vision loss (amblyopia). If you think you or your child is farsighted, see an eye specialist.
Who To See
Your family doctor or general practitioner or your child's pediatrician can perform screening examinations to detect vision problems and refer you to an eye care provider.
Eye care specialists who can diagnose eye problems, including refractive errors, and prescribe corrective lenses include:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
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| Author: | Alison Allen Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: January 22, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology | |
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