Far-sightedness or Hyperopia is an eye condition in which somebody fails to see close objects. They see distant objects just fine, but it becomes blurry when it comes to looking at things up close.
Normally, they have a hard time reading or doing other close-up activities. If you suspect or notice that your child or a child that you know might have this condition, it’s important they visit a doctor.
In the meantime, to help you understand better, here’s what you need to know about hyperopia in children:
Is it Common in Children?
Yes, it is common in children. Around 10% of children have hyperopia or far-sightedness. Everybody has a range of vision that is considered normal. It means that the eyes can focus on objects far away, and if they’re able to focus on objects up close, they’ll be able to see things.
But if the vision cannot focus on objects far away or only focus on things up close, that’s when it becomes a problem. When it comes to hyperopia in children, it’s an eye condition considered a common eye problem. It happens because the eyeball is not able to grow long enough.
Is it Preventable?
No, it is not preventable. Many people think that if the parents do not expose the children to a lot of screen time and do not encourage them to spend a lot of time looking at screens, they might not have eye problems like this.
But the truth is, if you have hyperopia, you might need to wear glasses as early as 3 to 5 years old. The reason is that the eyeballs are still growing.
The eyeballs are still growing when the child is 3 to 5 years old. It is the time when they can see distant objects clearly, but they can’t see things right up close. And that’s when the problem starts. The child will experience difficulty in reading, writing, and other activities that require them to look at things up close.
How to Address Hyperopia in Children
The good thing is that hyperopia can be corrected. There are three main ways to address it. The first is to wear eyeglasses that have a concave lens. When it comes to hyperopia in children, the lens of the eyeglasses is curved in a way that would help pull the eyes forward.
The other option would be the use of contact lenses. Usually, contact lenses would be used for nearsighted people, but people with hyperopia can use this kind of contact lens. The only thing is that you have to make sure it’s comfortable for the patient.
Lastly, the third option is surgery. This is considered the last step in addressing hyperopia and is the last resort. In this surgery, an eye surgeon would use an apparatus to pull the eye forward. This would give a more permanent and longer-lasting result.
Summary
Hyperopia in children is not a problem that is considered a severe condition. So if you notice that a child you know or even your child has this problem, don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad for your child. If you suspect your child might be suffering from this condition, you should consult your eye doctor and address the condition.
If you are looking for an expert and reliable eye centre, we can help you. Valley Laser Eye Centre is a vision correction center in Abbotsford, BC, with state-of-the-art technology, a comfortable setting, and fantastic staff. We ensure that all our staff are highly trained and deliver a seamless vision clinic experience. Book a consultation with us today!
