La farsightedness and presbyopia They are two refractive defects of vision that have very similar symptoms, but differ in many factors, mainly in their cause. Both conditions imply that the person uses glasses or contact lenses to be able to see nearby objects clearly, for this reason many wonder what the difference is between hyperopia and presbyopia.
To correctly answer this common question, in Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain in detail what each of these pathologies consists of.
What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a visual defect that is characterized by the difficulty to correctly focus on objects that are close to each other. Unlike hyperopia, presbyopia occurs as a natural consequence of the aging process of human beings, for this reason all people will suffer from presbyopia from the 45 years of age.
To understand what presbyopia is, it is necessary to first know how the ocular structure works. He crystalline It is the natural lens of the eye that is located behind the iris and it helps us to focus correctly. In order for the lens to function properly, it needs to adjust its shape, work that it carries out thanks to its elasticity.
Over the years, the elasticity of the lens decreases progressively and hinders the function of the lens to accommodate to focus. This is the cause of presbyopia, a condition that can worsen little by little until 65 years of age, when it is estimated that the lens has lost all its elasticity. Among the most common symptoms of presbyopia are:
- Visual fatigue or feeling of eye fatigue.
- Eye pain.
- Need to move objects away to focus or read better.
- Headache.
- Difficulty reading small print.
The treatment of presbyopia can vary according to the state of visual health of each person, therefore, it is necessary that each individual with presbyopia be properly evaluated by a professional in ophthalmology. Among the most common treatments for presbyopia we find:
- use of glasses or lenses to correct near vision and any other refractive errors that the person may suffer from, such as astigmatism o myopia. When presbyopia has advanced considerably and affects significantly the quality of life of the person, the ophthalmologist may suggest the option of performing eye surgery.
- There are different surgical procedures to treat presbyopia: application of excimer laser, lens implant in the sclera or cornea and multifocal intraocular lens implant to see near and far.
And hyperopia?
La farsightedness it is the refractive defect that occurs when the rays of light entering the eye converge behind the retina instead of on it. This condition may result from weak focus or a very small eyeball. Hyperopia too causes blurred vision of nearby objects.
This refractive defect often develops during childhood and improves over time, when the eyeball is fully developed. In some cases the condition worsens during growth and, in those cases, it is necessary that the small or small one that suffers from it uses glasses or contact lenses to be able to see correctly. Main symptoms of farsightedness are:
- Difficulty seeing nearby objects clearly.
- Headache.
- Visual fatigue.
- Eye pain, especially when reading.
To correct hyperopia it is necessary that the person go to the ophthalmologist so that the specialist can determine the best treatment according to the state of health of their eye structure. In the case of children it will be necessary to correct with lenses or glasses while the eye develops completely, approximately at 21 years of age.
To definitively eliminate this refractive error, we can propose the laser hyperopia surgery where we have different surgical options such as Femtolasik, LASIK y PRK or through the implementation of a ICL intraocular lens. The best option will always be the one recommended by the ophthalmologist after a complete vision and eye exam.
What is the difference between presbyopia and hyperopia?
Presbyopia and farsightedness are refractive errors that cause difficulty in correctly focusing on nearby objects. However, there is a difference between hyperopia and presbyopia and, now that you know both conditions, we can number them in detail. Are:
- La farsightedness is a condition that, like the myopia, triggered during childhood and it can advance progressively until the total development of the eyeball. Presbyopia is a condition clearly associated with age and caused by the natural aging of the ocular structure.
- Presbyopia does not affect average or distance vision. Farsightedness affects distance vision over time.
- Hyperopia is caused because the rays of light converge behind the retina. Presbyopia is a consequence of the loss of progressive elasticity of the lens.
- All people will suffer presbyopia. Hyperopia is a defect associated with family history.
- Presbyopia is a consequence of aging. Hyperopia may be the result of a defect in the shape of the eyeball.