7 Common Farsightedness Symptoms You Should Know

Farsightedness, medically known as hyperopia, is a common refractive error that affects millions of people worldwide. This condition occurs when the eye focuses images behind the retina instead of directly on it, making nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects may remain clear. Unlike nearsightedness, where close-up vision is sharp, people with hyperopia often struggle with tasks that require near vision, such as reading, writing, or using digital devices.

Understanding the symptoms of farsightedness is crucial for early detection and proper management. While some people may have mild hyperopia without noticeable symptoms, others experience significant visual discomfort that impacts their daily activities. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the degree of farsightedness and the individual’s age, as the eye’s ability to compensate for this condition decreases over time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the seven most common symptoms of farsightedness, helping you identify whether you or a loved one might be experiencing this vision condition. Recognizing these signs early can lead to timely consultation with an eye care professional and appropriate vision correction.

1. Blurred Vision When Viewing Near Objects

The hallmark symptom of farsightedness is difficulty seeing objects that are close to you. When you have hyperopia, your eyes struggle to focus on nearby items, causing them to appear fuzzy or out of focus. This blurriness is most noticeable when performing tasks that require near vision.

Common activities affected by this symptom include:

• Reading books, newspapers, or magazines
• Working on a computer or looking at a smartphone screen
• Writing or doing detailed handwork
• Sewing, knitting, or other crafts requiring close attention
• Reading labels or small print

In mild cases of hyperopia, younger individuals may not notice this symptom immediately because their eye muscles can compensate by working harder to focus. However, as the condition progresses or as people age, this natural compensation becomes less effective, and the blurriness becomes more apparent.

2. Eye Strain and Discomfort

Eye strain, also known as asthenopia, is one of the most common complaints among people with farsightedness. This occurs because the ciliary muscles inside your eyes must work overtime to help focus on nearby objects, leading to muscle fatigue and discomfort.

The eye strain associated with hyperopia typically manifests as:

• A tired, heavy feeling in and around the eyes
• Aching or soreness in the eye area
• Difficulty keeping the eyes open after prolonged near work
• Increased sensitivity to light
• A burning sensation in the eyes

This symptom often worsens after extended periods of close-up work, such as reading for several hours or spending long periods in front of a computer screen. The discomfort may temporarily improve after resting the eyes or looking at distant objects, which requires less focusing effort.

3. Frequent Headaches

Headaches are a prevalent symptom of uncorrected farsightedness, resulting from the constant strain placed on the eye muscles and the associated tension. These headaches are often described as tension-type headaches and typically occur in the forehead, temples, or around the eyes.

Characteristics of hyperopia-related headaches include:

• Pain that develops during or after activities requiring near vision
• Dull, aching sensation rather than sharp or throbbing pain
• Headaches that worsen as the day progresses
• Relief when taking breaks from near work or closing the eyes
• More frequent occurrence during tasks requiring sustained concentration

Children with farsightedness may not always articulate that they have headaches, but parents might notice their child rubbing their forehead frequently, appearing irritable during homework time, or complaining of general discomfort. It’s important to distinguish these vision-related headaches from other types, as proper vision correction can often eliminate this symptom entirely.

4. Difficulty Focusing or Maintaining Clear Vision

People with hyperopia often experience difficulty maintaining clear focus, especially when switching between viewing distances. The eyes may take longer to adjust when looking from a distant object to something close by, or they may struggle to keep near objects in clear focus for extended periods.

This focusing difficulty presents itself in several ways:

• Text appearing to move or “swim” on the page while reading
• Needing to hold reading material at arm’s length to see clearly
• Frequently losing your place while reading
• Vision that seems to fluctuate between clear and blurry
• Difficulty quickly refocusing when looking up from reading or close work

This symptom can significantly impact productivity and quality of life, particularly for students, office workers, and anyone whose profession or hobbies involve detailed near work. The constant effort to maintain focus can lead to mental fatigue alongside physical eye strain.

5. Eye Fatigue and Tiredness

Beyond general eye strain, people with farsightedness often experience overall eye fatigue that feels different from simple tiredness. This is a deeper exhaustion of the visual system resulting from the continuous extra effort required to see clearly at near distances.

Signs of eye fatigue related to hyperopia include:

• Eyes feeling extremely tired even after adequate sleep
• Difficulty keeping eyes focused after short periods of reading
• Wanting to close eyes frequently during close-up tasks
• Reduced ability to concentrate on visual tasks
• General feeling of visual exhaustion by midday or evening

This fatigue differs from normal tiredness because it specifically relates to visual tasks and may not be present when performing activities that don’t require close vision. People might find that they can enjoy outdoor activities or watching television without the same level of exhaustion they experience when reading or doing computer work.

6. Crossed Eyes or Strabismus (Particularly in Children)

In some cases, especially among children, uncorrected farsightedness can lead to accommodative esotropia, a condition where one or both eyes turn inward. This occurs because the excessive focusing effort required to see clearly can trigger an abnormal alignment of the eyes.

Important aspects of this symptom include:

• One eye may turn inward while the other remains straight
• The eye crossing may be constant or intermittent
• It often becomes more noticeable when the child is tired or focusing on nearby objects
• May be accompanied by squinting or closing one eye
• Can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) if left untreated

This symptom is particularly important to recognize in young children, as early intervention with proper vision correction can often resolve the eye crossing and prevent long-term vision problems. Parents should watch for signs of eye misalignment and seek prompt evaluation from an eye care professional if they notice their child’s eyes crossing or turning inward.

7. Squinting or Rubbing Eyes Frequently

People with farsightedness, particularly children, often squint or rub their eyes frequently as an unconscious attempt to see more clearly or relieve discomfort. Squinting temporarily changes the shape of the eye and can momentarily improve focus, while rubbing may provide temporary relief from the strain and fatigue.

Observable behaviors include:

• Narrowing the eyes when trying to see details up close
• Rubbing eyes frequently, especially during or after reading
• Pulling on the outer corners of the eyes
• Excessive blinking in an attempt to clear vision
• Making facial expressions that indicate visual effort or frustration

In children, these behaviors might be subtle and easily overlooked or attributed to other causes like allergies or tiredness. However, when these actions occur consistently during near work activities like reading, homework, or screen time, they may indicate an underlying vision problem like hyperopia. Teachers and parents should be attentive to these signs, as children may not realize their vision is different from others or may not know how to articulate their visual difficulties.

Main Causes of Farsightedness

Understanding what causes hyperopia can help in recognizing risk factors and the importance of regular eye examinations. Farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it, and several factors contribute to this condition:

Eyeball Shape and Size: The most common cause of farsightedness is an eyeball that is shorter than normal from front to back. This shorter axial length means that the focal point of incoming light falls behind the retina rather than on it. Some people are born with this anatomical variation.

Corneal Curvature: The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye that helps focus light. If the cornea is too flat or doesn’t have enough curvature, it won’t bend incoming light rays sufficiently, resulting in the focal point falling behind the retina.

Lens Problems: The natural lens inside the eye also plays a crucial role in focusing light. If the lens has reduced focusing power or is less curved than normal, it can contribute to hyperopia. This can be present from birth or develop over time.

Genetic Factors: Farsightedness tends to run in families, suggesting a strong hereditary component. If one or both parents have hyperopia, their children have an increased likelihood of developing the condition. The genetic factors may influence eye size, shape, or the development of the focusing structures.

Age-Related Changes: While not a direct cause of hyperopia, aging affects how farsightedness manifests. Young people with mild hyperopia may not notice symptoms because their eye’s focusing system is strong enough to compensate. As people age, particularly after 40, this compensatory ability diminishes, and previously unnoticed hyperopia becomes symptomatic. This is separate from presbyopia, the age-related loss of near focusing ability that affects everyone.

Congenital Factors: Some babies are born with significant farsightedness due to developmental factors during pregnancy. Most infants have some degree of hyperopia that typically decreases as the eye grows during childhood. However, in some cases, the hyperopia persists or is severe enough to require early intervention.

Prevention and Management Strategies

While farsightedness itself cannot be prevented, particularly when it’s due to genetic or developmental factors, there are several strategies that can help protect your eye health and manage the condition effectively:

Regular Comprehensive Eye Examinations: The most important preventive measure is scheduling regular eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Adults should have comprehensive eye exams every two years, or annually if recommended by their eye care professional. Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age, another at 3 years, and before starting school, with regular follow-ups thereafter.

Early Detection in Children: Since children may not recognize or report vision problems, parents and teachers should watch for signs of visual difficulty, such as squinting, holding books too close or far away, avoiding reading, or experiencing frequent headaches. Early detection and correction of hyperopia in children can prevent complications like amblyopia or strabismus.

Proper Lighting for Near Work: When reading or doing close-up tasks, ensure adequate lighting to reduce eye strain. Position lights to illuminate your work area without creating glare on screens or reflective surfaces. Good lighting won’t prevent hyperopia but can minimize strain and discomfort.

Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: To reduce eye fatigue during extended near work, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a break from constant focusing effort and can help reduce strain-related symptoms.

Maintain Overall Eye Health: General health practices support eye health, including:

• Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids
• Protecting eyes from UV radiation by wearing sunglasses outdoors
• Not smoking, as tobacco use increases risk of various eye conditions
• Managing chronic health conditions like diabetes that can affect vision
• Staying hydrated to maintain healthy tear production

Use Prescribed Vision Correction: Once diagnosed with hyperopia, consistently wearing prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses is crucial. Proper correction prevents eye strain, reduces headaches, and ensures clear vision for all tasks. Children especially should wear their correction as prescribed to support proper visual development.

Optimize Screen Time and Ergonomics: When using computers or digital devices, position screens at an appropriate distance (typically 20-26 inches for computer monitors) and slightly below eye level. Adjust font sizes to comfortable levels, reduce screen brightness to match ambient lighting, and take regular breaks to minimize digital eye strain.

Be Aware of Risk Factors: Understanding family history and risk factors can help you be more vigilant about eye health. If hyperopia runs in your family, ensure children receive early and regular eye examinations, even if they don’t complain of vision problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Farsightedness

Can farsightedness get worse over time?

Yes, farsightedness can change over time, though the pattern varies by age. In children, mild hyperopia may improve as the eye grows. However, as adults age, especially after 40, the eye’s ability to compensate for farsightedness decreases, making symptoms more noticeable. Additionally, age-related changes in the lens can compound focusing difficulties.

At what age does farsightedness typically appear?

Many people are born with some degree of farsightedness, which often goes unnoticed in childhood because young eyes can compensate effectively. Symptoms typically become noticeable in the late 30s or 40s when the eye’s focusing flexibility begins to decline. However, significant hyperopia can cause symptoms at any age, including early childhood.

Is farsightedness the same as presbyopia?

No, these are different conditions, though they can coexist. Farsightedness (hyperopia) is a refractive error related to eye shape or focusing power that can occur at any age. Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects, typically beginning after age 40, which affects everyone regardless of whether they have hyperopia.

Can farsightedness cause permanent vision damage?

Uncorrected farsightedness itself doesn’t typically cause permanent damage in adults, though it can significantly impact quality of life through discomfort and reduced productivity. However, in children, severe uncorrected hyperopia can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes), which may result in permanent vision problems if not addressed early.

How is farsightedness diagnosed?

Farsightedness is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam typically includes visual acuity tests, refraction assessment to determine the exact prescription needed, and examination of the eye’s health and focusing ability. For children, specialized testing may be performed with eye drops that temporarily prevent accommodation.

Can I have both nearsightedness and farsightedness?

While you cannot be simultaneously nearsighted and farsighted in the same eye for the same focal distance, you can have different refractive errors in each eye (one nearsighted and one farsighted), a condition called antimetropia. Additionally, some people have astigmatism combined with either nearsightedness or farsightedness, or may develop presbyopia later in life regardless of their existing refractive error.

Do computer screens make farsightedness worse?

Computer screens don’t cause or worsen the underlying farsightedness, but extended screen time can exacerbate symptoms like eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, especially if hyperopia is uncorrected. People with farsightedness may find computer work particularly uncomfortable because it requires sustained near focusing. Using proper vision correction and following good ergonomic practices can help minimize discomfort.

Should I see a doctor if I have symptoms of farsightedness?

Yes, if you experience any symptoms of farsightedness such as blurred near vision, eye strain, headaches, or difficulty focusing, you should schedule an appointment with an eye care professional. Regular eye examinations are important for everyone, even without symptoms, as they can detect vision problems and other eye health issues early when they’re most treatable.

References:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology – Hyperopia
• National Eye Institute – Refractive Errors
• Mayo Clinic – Farsightedness
• American Optometric Association – Hyperopia