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Pediatric Hyperopia FAQs

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Hyperopia

Hyperopia, also called far-sightedness or farsightedness, is an eye condition in which somebody is unable to bring close objects into proper focus. Somebody with hyperopia can normally see distant objects clearly, but closer objects, or activities such as reading, will appear blurry.

Yes. It is perfectly normal for most children to have mild hyperopia or farsightedness early in life. In many cases, no treatment is necessary because a child can accommodate by using their own eye muscles to properly focus. When hyperopia is severe, however, the child’s focusing muscles may not be able to properly focus and he or she could be at risk for amblyopia, one of the most common causes of vision loss among children and young adults.

Yes. Pediatric vision screening, using instrument-based vision screening such as the iScreen Vision Screener 3000 photoscreener, can screen for hyperopia or farsightedness and determine if a referral to an eye care professional is necessary.This type of vision screening may be called Hyperopia Vision Screening, Hyperopia Vision Testing, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Screening, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Testing, Farsightedness Vision Screening, or Farsightedness Vision Testing.

According to revised guidelines published in 2012 by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), the amount of hyperopia that puts a child at risk for amblyopia varies according to age, since the amount of hyperopia normally naturally lessens as a child ages and his eyes grow. For children aged 12-30 months, AAPOS guidelines consider the child at risk for hyperopia greater than +4.5 diopters; for children aged 31-48 months, hyperopia greater than +4.0 diopters is considered a risk factor for amblyopia, and for children older than 49 months, farsightedness of more than +3.5 diopters is considered an amblyopia risk factor. iScreen Vision uses AAPOS guidelines in analyzing images and determining whether or not a child who is screened or tested for amblyopia should be referred for hyperopia.

Possibly, depending on the age at which the hyperopia is detected by pediatric vision screening or an eye care professional and the severity of the hyperopia. Many times doctors will prescribe glasses to help strengthen the vision of child who has a weak eye and is at risk for, or has already developed, amblyopia also commonly called “lazy eye”). One risk factor for amblyopia is anisometropia, which occurs when there is a significant difference in refraction between the two eyes (anisometropia).

A prescription for hyperopia will be preceded by a plus sign (for example, +3.00).

Typically, if the length of an eyeball is too short, then it is difficult to bring close or near objects into sharp focus.It can also be difficult to bring close objects into focus if the cornea has less curvature than normal. As an eye grows and lengthens, a child’s hyperopia typically will lessen with age.

It is very common, particularly among children. According to the American Optometric Association, over half the people who wear glasses are wearing them due to a focusing problem caused by farsightedness or presbyopia, a natural decrease in focusing ability at near distance.

It depends on the type of screening. Vision screenings with an eye chart are generally ineffective at detecting farsightedness, according to the American Optometric Association, since farsighted individuals can normally identify the letters on an eye chart without much difficulty. However, if the screening is performed with a photoscreener or other instrument, such as the iScreen Vision photoscreener, however, farsightedness frequently can be detected. Because no verbal response from the child is necessary, these types of pediatric vision screenings or vision tests can be performed even when the child is very young or preverbal.

Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Screening & Detection
These FAQs discuss topics including: Hyperopia, Farsightedness, Hyperopia Vision Screening, Hyperopia Vision Testing, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Screening, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Testing, Farsightedness Vision Screening, and Farsightedness Vision Testing.

These FAQs discuss topics including: Hyperopia, Farsightedness, Hyperopia Vision Screening, Hyperopia Vision Testing, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Screening, Pediatric Hyperopia Vision Testing, Farsightedness Vision Screening, and Farsightedness Vision Testing.