Hyperopia causes are hereditary, environmental factors, eye structure, and other health conditions.
Hyperopic vision problem occurs when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina, rather than directly on it. The eyeball of a farsighted person is shorter than normal.
Number of people with hyperopia has increased significantly with age. For instance, it affects approximately 62% of population over the age of 40 years.
Farsightedness causes
- Hereditary or genetics – similar to myopia, hyperopia also has the genetic link. One or both parents having farsighted are likely to have it.
- Environmental factors - also contribute for the causes of hyperopia.
- Eye structure - Most hyperopic’s has shorter eyeballs and or flat (fewer curves) cornea.
- Most hyperopic born farsighted - When age advances, the eyes loses its ability to accommodate for the refractive errors. Then farsightedness becomes more apparent, usually around age 40.
- Other health conditions - rarely other diseases may cause hyperopia, such as retinopathy, eye tumors, and dislocation of the lens.
An optometrist can evaluate vision and determine the cause of the vision problems.
Sometimes people confuse hyperopia with presbyopia, which also causes near vision problems but for different reasons.