What is the condition commonly known as farsightedness?

Farsightedness, also referred to as hyperopia, is a common refractive error of vision. It occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina, which can make close objects appear blurry while distant objects may be seen more clearly.

Understanding hyperopia is essential for eye care professionals, as it influences how they diagnose and treat vision-related issues. It can be corrected with convex lenses, which aid in bending light rays so that they focus correctly on the retina.

In contrast, myopia refers to nearsightedness, where close objects are seen clearly while distant objects appear blurry. Astigmatism involves an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, leading to distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects, typically manifesting in individuals over 40. Recognizing these distinctions helps in understanding various vision conditions and their treatments.