Struggling with the Fine Print

Difficulty Reading Fine Print

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the inability to focus on objects that are near. Those who are farsighted have great difficulty making out fine print, or other details that must be viewed up close. Most often, this inability to make out fine details up close is due to the weakening of the muscles responsible for focusing the lens, and/or the lens' increasing inability to alter its shape. Because these two factors are age related, farsightedness occurs most often in middle aged and elderly adults. Because the lens is less able to assume the convex shape necessary to focus the image on the retina, the result is blurred vision.

Treatment

Hyperopia is easily treated with corrective lenses that compensate for the natural lens' weakness. These are available in both glasses and contacts. For many, this option is only needed for such activities as reading, and using the computer. For others with more severe cases of hyperopia, glasses or contacts may need to be worn full time. Only a skilled ophthalmologist can judge for certain.