Farsightedness (Hyperopia) Treatment in Downtown Manhattan, New York

Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects appear clearer than those up close. As long as you can squint to see things close up, you may believe you don’t need to get glasses or contacts. Wearing drugstore cheaters may help you get along with close reading or digital work, but eventually, your eyes pay the price for your neglect. Without proper hyperopia treatment for farsightedness, your quality of life suffers. That’s especially true in children who possibly can’t even describe their vision difficulties. Regular exams for you and your family at experts like you find at Manhattan-based Eye Physicians ensure you all get and maintain healthy vision as long as possible.

What Is Farsightedness or Hyperopia?

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common vision problem in which distant objects appear clearer than nearby items. People with farsightedness may have difficulty reading or seeing items up close without glasses or contact lenses.

Hyperopia treatment depends entirely on how quickly you catch it. Quick intervention promises successful outcomes. With sufficient correction, such as glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery, many people with farsightedness can achieve clear vision and effectively manage every visual activity. However, only an experienced optometrist can tell you what’s right for you because everyone is different.

Eye Physicians in New York City has several experienced eye specialists adept at diagnosing farsightedness and delivering the most effective treatment for hyperopia in Downtown Manhattan. They offer eye treatments for a wide range of eye disorders, including:

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Who’s at Risk of Needing Treatment for Hyperopia?

Farsightedness is often observed in childhood, which is why it’s vital you have your children undergo a pediatric eye exam on a regular basis with a trained pediatric eye doctor like you find at Eye Physicians near me in NYC. Children may not be aware that they’re farsighted since their eyes can adapt to focus more effectively. Depending on what’s causing it, it can be classified into various types including:

  • Axial hyperopia that occurs when the eyeball is too short, and light doesn’t focus properly on the retina
  • Refractive hyperopia that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is not properly curved, causing light to focus behind the retina
  • Functional hyperopia, which may be temporary and occurs when the eye’s focusing system is required to work harder than usual, such as when you’re tired or focusing for long periods

Each type causes clouded vision for close-up tasks. Farsightedness can range from mild to severe and is typically treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. It affects a large proportion of the population, with estimates ranging from five to 10 percent of Americans having moderate to severe farsightedness.

What Are the Common Signs of Hyperopia?

The severity and manifestations of symptoms differ from person to person; however, hyperopia often appears with common signs and symptoms such as:

  • Blurred vision when looking at items closely
  • Eye strain or discomfort
  • Headaches, especially after doing close-up tasks for a lengthy time
  • Difficulty seeing clearly at night or in low-light circumstances

Hyperopia symptoms in children vary slightly from those in adults. Early detection and intervention can help avoid possible vision problems from interfering with your child’s learning and development. Some common symptoms in children include:

  • Difficulty seeing things up close, such as when reading or completing homework
  • Squinting or closing one eye to see plainly
  • Headaches or eye strain, particularly after tasks that need close attention, such as reading or drawing
  • Holding books or digital devices up close to the face
  • Rubbing their eyes frequently
  • Poor academic performance

If you’re at high risk for certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma, schedule a dilated eye test every one to two years beginning at age 40. Untreated farsightedness can cause eyestrain, headaches and decreased visual function, limiting daily tasks such as reading and driving. It can cause amblyopia or strabismus in children, influencing learning and development.

A comprehensive eye examination is used to detect hyperopia. Snellen charts are used by optometrists and ophthalmologists to assess visual acuity. Refractive errors are measured using tools such as a phoropter or autorefractor. Eye health is evaluated through pupil dilation and retinal examination. Your eye doctor makes specific recommendations based on the results of these tests and your diagnosis determines which hyperopia treatment works best for your needs.

What’s the Best Treatment for Hyperopia Near You in Downtown Manhattan, NYC?

Corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, are commonly used to treat hyperopia. These lenses efficiently compensate for the refractive defect in hyperopia by altering how light rays reach the eye. Other treatment options include:

  • Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, that reshape the cornea, lowering or eliminating the need for corrective lenses in patients with moderate to severe hyperopia
  • Refractive lens exchange (RLE), which is a procedure that substitutes the natural lens with an artificial one, making it acceptable for patients with high hyperopia or who aren’t good candidates for LASIK surgery
  • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), which is the practice of wearing overnight contact lenses to temporarily restructure the cornea, allowing for clear vision during the day without the use of glasses or contacts, requiring nightly usage for maintenance

Following refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK, vision improves quickly, frequently within days, with the best outcomes in weeks. Recovery from refractive lens exchange is even faster, with significant improvement in one week and stabilization in several weeks. Ortho-K delivers clear daytime vision after the first night, but nightly lens use is required for maintenance.

What Happens if I Don’t Get Hyperopia Treatment in Downtown Manhattan, NYC?

If hyperopia, or farsightedness, goes untreated, it can cause chronic eyestrain, headaches and difficulties focusing on surrounding things. Over time, the eyes become more strained as they work harder to compensate for the refractive error, potentially causing visual problems and pain.

Untreated hyperopia also increases the likelihood of developing additional vision abnormalities, such as amblyopia or lazy eye  or strabismus, another name for crossed eyes, especially in children. Your job opportunities may be reduced, and your quality of life suffers when you can’t participate in everyday activities.

Your eyes deserve the best care. Contact the experienced experts at Eye Physicians for full eye care and treatment. They are renowned for their professionalism and quick service, trying always to get you in and out of the office in less than an hour.

Page Updated on Nov 14, 2024 by Dr. William Hogue, OD (Optometrist) of Eye Physicians
William Hogue, OD

My name is Dr. William Hogue, and I am an optometrist dedicated to providing top-quality professional eye care. I'm trained in treating various ocular conditions, including dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and retinal issues.

I earned my chemistry degree summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee. Subsequently, I obtained my Doctorate of Optometry (OD) and Master of Science (MS) from the New England College of Optometry. Following graduation, I completed an ocular disease residency at the State University of New York’s College of Optometry. Beyond my clinical work, I have also been a supporter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH).

More about Dr. Hogue

Eye Physicians
110 Lafayette St, Suite 503
New York, NY 10013
(212) 292-4814

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