Related articles: Hyperopia
Definition
Hypermetropia is a refraction defect in which the focal point is placed behind the retina, so the images are not focused on it. In contrast to myopia, near vision is generally more difficult, unless a constant effort is made to focus. This happens because the cornea (or the crystalline lens) has a radius of curvature that is too large and / or the axial length is too short (ie the eyeball is shorter than normal).
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Eye fatigue
- Burning eyes
- Headache
- Misaligned eyes
- Reduced vision
- Blurred vision
Further indications
The hypermetropia determines a fatiguing and not perfectly clear vision of the objects. In children and young adults, this visual defect can be self-compensated, in the sense that it can be corrected naturally thanks to the ability to focus (accommodation mechanism). The hypermetrope, therefore, within certain limits, is therefore able to see clearly and the symptoms could be imperceptible or very mild. With increasing age, however, the degree of accommodation decreases, so both objects placed at medium distances and those at a distance appear blurred.
The symptoms associated with hypermetropia vary from effort during reading to headache, up to irritative eye disorders (eg burning of the eyes).
The visual defect can be easily identified thanks to an eye examination.
To correct hypermetropia, spherical lenses of positive power (convex) are used, whose optical effect converges the light rays at a defined point, bringing the image back into focus on the retina. Surgery is also an option available to correct this visual defect.
