Eyes Long Sightedness

Overview

Long sightedness, also called hyperopia (say: hy-per-OH-pee-ah), is a common eyesight problem where close-up things look blurry, but things further away usually look clearer. It happens because of the shape of your eye. In a long-sighted eye, light focuses behind the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) instead of right on it, so the picture sent to your brain is slightly out of focus. Many people with mild long sightedness see well without any help, especially when they are young, because the eye's focusing muscles work harder to make up for it. That extra effort is why tired eyes and headaches are such common complaints.

Yes. Long sightedness is one of the most common eyesight problems worldwide, along with short sightedness and astigmatism. Millions of people wear glasses or contact lenses for it, and many more have mild long sightedness without ever needing correction.

Anyone can have it, at any age. It often runs in families. Many children are born slightly long sighted and grow out of it as their eyes get longer. Adults can be long sighted too, and it often becomes more noticeable from around age 40, when the eye's natural focusing power starts to decline. It affects all sexes and ethnic groups.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Blurred vision when looking at things close up, like a book, phone or labels
• Squinting or straining to see clearly
• Tired, aching eyes after reading, sewing or computer work
• Headaches, often across the forehead or behind the eyes, after close work
• Holding things further away to read them
• Needing brighter light than before to see small print
• Eyes feeling sore or watery after focusing for a while

Symptoms in children

• Squinting, or rubbing the eyes a lot
• Complaining of headaches, especially after school or reading
• Holding books very close, or sitting very close to the TV
• Losing interest in reading or drawing, or tiring quickly with close work
• One eye turning inwards (a squint) — this needs a check by a health professional
• A vision screening at school or a routine check finding a problem

Symptoms in older adults

• Blurriness that seems to affect both near and distance vision over time
• Needing to hold reading material further and further away
• More eye strain and headaches during computer or desk work
• Needing stronger glasses more often
• Combined near and far blurring if long sightedness happens alongside age-related focusing changes

Causes

Main causes

• The eyeball being slightly shorter than usual from front to back, so light focuses behind the retina
• The curve of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) or the lens being flatter than usual
• The lens not being strong enough to focus light sharply on the retina
• Genetics — long sightedness often runs in families
• Normal growth patterns — many babies are born long sighted and their eyes lengthen as they grow

Risk factors

• A parent, brother or sister with long sightedness or glasses from a young age
• Being born prematurely, or having certain developmental conditions
• Some genetic and inherited conditions that affect eye growth
• Getting older, as the eye's focusing power gradually reduces
• Certain health conditions that affect the shape of the eye — your eye care professional can explain more

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any sudden change in your eyesight
• Eye pain, or eyes that are red and painful
• A child with a turned eye, or who seems to struggle to see
• New flashes, floaters, or a shadow across your vision
• Headaches that keep coming back and are linked to eye strain

Book a routine appointment if:

• You notice close-up things are getting harder to see
• You are squinting, or getting tired eyes and headaches with reading or screens
• Your child has a school vision screening that flags a problem
• It has been two years or more since your last eye test
• You are over 40 and noticing changes in how you focus
• You have a family history of eye problems and want a check

Diagnosis

An eye care professional — such as an optometrist (the person who does eye tests and fits glasses) — diagnoses long sightedness with a routine eye examination. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes, is painless, and usually involves reading letters from a chart and looking through different lenses. Children can be tested too, even before they can read, using pictures or lights.

Tests that may be done

• A visual acuity test — reading letters or symbols from a chart to check how sharp your sight is
• Refraction — looking through different lenses while the examiner asks which one makes things clearer
• Retinoscopy — a light shone into the eye to measure how light focuses inside it
• Eye health check — looking at the front and back of your eye to rule out other problems
• Eye drops to widen the pupil (more common in children) so the focusing muscles relax and the true prescription can be measured
• Special photo screening for very young children who cannot yet do a standard test

What to expect at your appointment

You will be asked about your vision, your health and your family history. You may be given eye drops that blur your vision and make light feel bright for a few hours — it's wise to bring sunglasses and avoid driving afterwards if you have these drops. At the end you'll get your prescription and advice on whether you need glasses, and how often to come back.

Treatment

Most long sightedness is corrected simply and effectively. Mild long sightedness may not need any treatment at all, especially in children whose eyes are still growing. When it does need correcting, glasses or contact lenses are usually all that's needed. Your eye care professional will discuss what suits your age, lifestyle and how much correction you need.

Self-care at home

• Follow your glasses or contact lens prescription and wear them as advised
• Take regular breaks from screens — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Use good, bright lighting for reading and close work, and avoid glare from windows or lamps
• Make text bigger on your phone, tablet or computer if small print tires your eyes
• Keep screens at about arm's length and slightly below eye level
• Blink often and use lubricating eye drops from your pharmacist if your eyes feel dry
• Book an eye test every two years, or sooner if your vision changes
• Wear sunglasses in bright sun and protective glasses for DIY or sport

Medical treatments

The main treatment is corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — chosen to bring light into sharp focus on the retina. For some adults, laser or lens-based refractive surgery can reduce or remove the need for glasses, and an eye surgeon will explain the benefits and risks. There are also exercises used by eye professionals for specific focusing problems in some children, but these are not a general fix for long sightedness. No medicine can cure long sightedness. Your eye care professional will help you choose the right option for you.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is optional and mainly considered by adults who want to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It is not usually offered to children, because their eyes are still growing and their prescription can change. Suitability depends on your prescription, eye health and general health, and it is important to discuss the risks as well as the benefits with a qualified eye surgeon.

Living with this condition

Most people with long sightedness get on with life just fine once their vision is corrected. Keeping your glasses clean and within reach, having a spare pair, and setting up your desk or reading spot with good light makes a real difference. Children may need a note to school about sitting near the front or wearing glasses in class.

Lifestyle tips

• Build in regular screen breaks and look into the distance to relax your focusing muscles
• Keep your glasses or contact lenses clean, and follow the cleaning and storage advice for lenses
• Have a spare pair of glasses if you rely on them for driving or work
• Wear safety glasses for DIY, gardening or sport
• Get enough sleep — tired eyes feel strain more
• Quit smoking if you smoke, as it is linked to several eye conditions
• Keep up regular eye tests, especially if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease

Diet and exercise

No diet or exercise can cure long sightedness, because it is mostly down to the shape of your eye. But a healthy lifestyle supports eye health overall. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens, along with oily fish, eggs and nuts — these contain nutrients linked to eye health. Stay active, keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in a healthy range, and drink enough water. If you're unsure what's right for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Eyesight problems can be frustrating and tiring. Headaches and blurry vision can make school, work and hobbies harder, and parents often feel worried when a child needs glasses. These feelings are normal and very common. The good news is that long sightedness is usually easy to correct, and most people notice a big improvement quickly. If worry, low mood or anxiety is affecting your daily life, please talk to your doctor — support is available and you deserve it. If you ever feel you are in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support service in your area straight away.

Prevention

Long sightedness is mostly caused by the shape of the eye, so you cannot prevent it. What you can do is find it early and manage it well. Regular eye tests mean any vision problem is picked up before it causes trouble at school or work, and good eye habits — like screen breaks and good lighting — help keep your eyes comfortable.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for long sightedness.

Screening programmes

Regular eye tests are the best screening. In the UK, the NHS offers free eye tests for children under 16 (and under 19 in full-time education), for people over 60, and for some other groups. Many countries run vision screening for children at school or in early years. As a rule of thumb, have an eye test every two years, or sooner if you notice changes — and always have a child's eyes checked if you or a teacher has any concerns.

Complications

If left untreated

• Ongoing blurry close vision that makes reading, screens and detailed work harder
• Frequent headaches and tired, aching eyes
• In children, a turned eye (squint) or a lazy eye (amblyopia), where one eye does not develop clear vision
• Children falling behind at school or losing confidence with reading
• Higher risk of eye strain and fatigue at work or while driving
• In rare, very high long sightedness, raised pressure inside the eye or other eye problems — your eye professional will monitor for these

Long-term outlook

The outlook for long sightedness is very good. For most people, glasses or contact lenses give clear, comfortable vision and let them get on with everything they enjoy. Many children with mild long sightedness grow out of it completely. If you or your child needs glasses, that is a simple, everyday step — not a setback. Regular eye tests keep things on track, and your eye care team is there to help.

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