Most people will experience refractive errors at some point in their life.
Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common vision problem that is usually confused with presbyopia. Although both conditions have similar effects and symptoms, there are significant differences between the two. They have different causes and treatment options, which is why it’s important to educate people on their differences to prevent any medical mishaps.
Here’s a brief comparison to explain the difference between both.
What is Hyperopia?
Hyperopia is an alternate term for farsightedness. When you can see far-off objects clearly but have difficulty focusing on closer objects, you are suffering from hyperopia.
An estimated 14.2 million adults in the U.S are farsighted. The most common cause of hyperopia is when your eyeball is shorter than normal. Another scenario where you can become farsighted is when your cornea isn’t curved enough, which makes it difficult for light rays to refract properly through your eye.
This can be treated with reading glasses, and in the long run, prescription glasses and contact lenses can be used.
Common symptoms include:
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- The feeling of strain or pressure on the eyes
- Fatigue after working or reading for long hours
What is Presbyopia?
Although similar effects may lead people to believe they’re the same things, presbyopia is different from hyperopia.
The main difference lies in the cause of the condition. Presbyopia is caused by the hardening of the lenses in your eyes as you age. People with presbyopia have a tough time focusing on books or other nearby objects.
Age does not affect hyperopia, and it can occur in children as young as two years old, but presbyopia only emerges in most people after the age of 40. So, we can say that the age factor is another difference between the two.
Some common treatments for presbyopia include contact lenses or reading glasses.
Conclusion
There may be a point in your life where you have hyperopia and presbyopia at the same time. The symptoms of both conditions are similar.
However, the cause is what makes them different. While presbyopia is a condition that’s tied with age, hyperopia can occur at any time as it may run the family or due to one’s lifestyle.
Take Advantage of Patient Assistance Programs
In some cases, doctors can recommend patients to go with LASIK, which is a surgical vision correction option.
The Rx Helper is a patient prescription assistance program for the uninsured that can help you find the necessary medication. Once you pay the monthly service fee, we can get you the medicine for little to no cost. To find out more, you can contact us or visit our website.
