What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a refractive error in which nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects can be seen more clearly. This occurs because the eye is either too short relative to its focusing power or the lens is not curved enough, causing light rays entering the eye to focus behind the retina rather than directly on it. As a result, individuals with hyperopia often struggle to focus on close tasks, such as reading or using a computer, while they may have a clearer vision of objects in the distance.

Understanding hyperopia is essential for optometric technicians, as identifying this condition allows for appropriate recommendations for corrective lenses or other interventions to improve the patient’s visual acuity at near distances.