Hyperopia, or long-sightedness, refers to an eye condition in which an image is perceived as out of focus due to an eyeball that is shorter than normal, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of on it.
Hyperopia means that a person may have difficulty seeing objects that are close to them, but can see objects that are far away more easily.
In general, children have a more flexible lens than adults, which allows them to accommodate or simply adjust their focus to see objects at different distances. As a result, some degree of hyperopia is common in young children, and it may not cause any significant vision problems.
However, if a child has significant hyperopia, the blur experienced when viewing near targets may cause difficulty concentrating and focusing when reading, potentially leading to headaches. In a child this can manifest and cause poor reading ability.
Convex (plus) lenses are given to help converge the light rays and bring the focal point directly on the retina rather than behind it. Contact lenses are also available as an alternative correction if preferred. Please do note that children with hyperopia may not necessarily report clearer vision through their script but rather a feeling of comfort due to the reduction in eye strain.
Studies have shown that a child can develop an array of issues – untreated hyperopes who have a significant or uneven prescription may develop an inturning eye (esotropia). They may also develop refractive amblyopia, whereby the eye with the stronger script, or blurrier vision, is switched off (suppressed), causing a lazy eye to develop.
Untreated hyperopia has also been linked to learning-related difficulties. If a child experiences blurry vision and vision-related migraines due to this blurred vision, it may reduce their ability to concentrate and absorb information in class.
