When you pick up a book or magazine, have you noticed that the text looks, well, a bit blurry? Vision changes, especially difficulty seeing things up close, are a common part of aging. Still, you may wonder if your symptoms are perfectly natural or something to worry about.
While the term “farsightedness” means nearby objects look blurry, the condition can have different causes, including genetics and age-related eye changes. That being the case, it’s important to know the difference so you can take steps to keep your vision sharp.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our team specialize in treating farsightedness. Read on to learn the difference between age-related farsightedness and true farsightedness, and what you can do to protect your eyes.
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is an eye condition that causes nearby objects to appear blurry. Up to 10% of Americans — roughly 14 million people — have it.
Some people are born with farsightedness, but it doesn’t always cause symptoms until later in life. This type of farsightedness, sometimes called true farsightedness, is caused by genetics and how they influence the shape of your eyes.
People with farsightedness have shorter-than-average eyeballs, or flatter-than-normal corneas. Both of these factors affect the way light focuses on the retina at the back of the eye, causing nearby objects to look fuzzy.
Because it’s so common, many people with farsightedness use vision correction treatments like eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery to keep their eyesight sharp.
Presbyopia is another eye condition that causes nearby objects to appear blurry. Unlike true farsightedness, however, presbyopia develops from age-related eye changes rather than inherited eye shape. As a result, it affects all aging adults between the ages of 40 and 65.
Your eyes rely on the corneas and lenses to focus light on specific objects, resulting in crystal clear vision. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye, while the lens is a clear structure behind the cornea. These components work together to bend the light entering your eye so your brain can interpret images.
The lenses in your eyes are flexible when you’re young, but they gradually lose flexibility with age. As these changes occur, they affect your eyes’ ability to focus, causing blurry vision.
The answer is yes and no. Only some people develop true farsightedness (hyperopia), but everyone does develop presbyopia, a condition that also causes near vision to become blurry with age. Some people experience both types.
Admittedly, this can be somewhat confusing. But the point we want to drive home is that any vision changes, including up-close objects appearing blurry, should be investigated. This is why it’s so important to schedule annual eye exams. These checkups present an opportunity to ask questions, discuss vision changes, and determine the best way to keep your eyes healthy.
Whether your symptoms are age-related or caused by genetics, farsightedness is treatable and manageable. If you suspect you’re at risk, schedule a visit at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.