Hyperopia

Definition

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects can be seen more clearly than close ones. It occurs when the light entering the eye focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hyperopia is often caused by an eyeball that is too short or a cornea with too little curvature.
2. Corrective lenses such as convex (plus) lenses are used to correct hyperopia by converging light rays before they enter the eye.
3. Hyperopia can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination including refraction assessment and visual acuity tests.
4. In physics terms, hyperopia's correction involves altering the focal length to ensure that images focus on the retina.
5. Laser surgery like LASIK can also be employed to reshape the cornea and correct hyperopia.

Review Questions

• What anatomical differences in the eye cause hyperopia?
• How do convex lenses correct hyperopia?
• What type of vision test is typically used to diagnose hyperopia?

Related terms

Myopia: A condition where close objects appear clearly, but distant ones do not. This occurs because light focuses in front of the retina.

Astigmatism:

A vision condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens that leads to blurred or distorted vision.

Refraction:

$$The\ bending\ of\ light\ as\ it\ passes\ through\ different\ media.$$ In optics, it's crucial for focusing light onto the retina correctly.