Farsightedness (Hyperopia) Contact Lenses

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is an eye condition that makes it difficult to see objects at close distances. Living with this condition may be difficult, especially with daily activities such as reading a book or checking your phone. However, various solutions may help manage this condition, such as hyperopia contacts. Find out more about contact lenses for farsightedness below.

What Is Farsightedness (Hyperopia)?

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a refractive error that occurs when the eye is shorter than normal. This causes light to focus behind the retina rather than on it. As a result, the eye lens needs to work harder to generate a clear image on the retina.

Some individuals with farsightedness may experience mild symptoms, while others may have more difficulty seeing close-up objects. Common symptoms include blurred vision when doing close work, eye strain after tasks that require near vision, and headaches or eye fatigue from focusing on nearby objects.

Can Contact Lenses Correct Farsightedness? How Hyperopia Contacts Work

Many individuals with farsightedness may prefer hyperopia contacts over glasses for reasons such as convenience and visual aesthetics. An optometrist can help prescribe hyperopia contacts based on your needs. These contact lenses for farsightedness help to correct your vision by focusing light properly onto the retina. They have a convex shape and can help bend light as it enters the eye. This helps bring close-up objects into sharper focus, which may result in clearer, more comfortable vision.

For milder hyperopia cases, you may require a low prescription, which ranges from +1.00 to +2.00 diopters. More severe cases may require a higher prescription, starting at +5.00.

Types of Contact Lenses for Farsightedness

There are several types of hyperopia contacts to choose from. If you are unsure, your optometrist can help you recommend the type that best fits your needs.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are a popular choice for correcting farsightedness. Made from soft, flexible plastics, they can conform to the shape of the eye and may be comfortable to wear for most individuals. Soft contact lenses are available as daily disposables, bi-weekly, or monthly options. Consider your personal preferences and wearing schedules to choose the most suitable type for you.

Gas Permeable (GP) Contact Lenses

Also known as rigid gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses, gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses are typically recommended for higher prescriptions for farsightedness. They help correct vision by providing a precise optical surface on the eye that generates a clearer image. GP hyperopia contacts may require more adaptation as they are firmer than soft lenses. Their rigid structure also helps them be more resistant to deposits, making them easier to clean and less prone to bacterial buildup.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses for farsightedness combine the features of both soft and GP lenses. They have a rigid centre made of gas-permeable material and a soft outer ring. This type of hyperopia contact lens may be recommended for moderate-to-severe prescriptions or for individuals who are uncomfortable wearing GP lenses. However, fitting these lenses is more complex and requires precise measurements.

Hyperopia Contact Lens Fitting Process

The contact lens fitting process for farsightedness involves several steps to ensure a comfortable and precise fit. Here is what you can expect from the process:

Comprehensive eye examination: This step helps assess your overall eye condition and vision needs.

Cornea examination: Your optometrist then uses a biomicroscope to examine details of your cornea. They will measure your cornea curvature and dimensions to help determine a suitable lens base curve and diameter.

Lens selection and trial fitting: Your optometrist will recommend suitable lens options based on the assessment results. After choosing your hyperopia contacts, you will get trial lenses to see how your eyes adjust to them, ensuring the final fit is safe and comfortable.

Follow-up appointment: This helps evaluate how your eyes are responding to the trial lenses and, if required, make any adjustments.

Final contact lens prescription: Your optometrist will provide a final prescription that includes your selected contact lens brand, diameter, curvature, and expiration date for purchasing replacement lenses.

Contact Lenses vs Glasses for Farsightedness

In managing farsightedness, individuals may be unsure about whether contact lenses or hyperopia-glasses work better for them. While both are corrective lenses that can help you see close-up objects more comfortably, here are the factors to consider when deciding between hyperopia contacts and glasses.

Visual Experience and Aesthetics

Contacts sit directly on the eye, which may help provide a full, unobstructed field of vision. As glasses are worn externally, they may have peripheral blind spots. For higher hyperopia prescriptions, the glasses tend to have lenses that are thicker in the center, which may be aesthetically displeasing for some people compared to the more natural appearance of contact lenses.

Ease of Maintenance and Comfort

Before deciding to wear contact lenses, you need to be aware of the daily care steps you should follow. This includes cleaning, storing, and regularly replacing your contacts. You should also make sure to take them out properly to avoid over-drying or irritating your eyes. In contrast, glasses are low-maintenance as you just need to wear them with less risk of eye irritation.

Cost and Durability

Wearing contact lenses and glasses has different risks. For instance, glasses can be scratched or broken, but with careful handling, they can last for years. Contacts, on the other hand, may be easily lost, but are less prone to impact damage. However, contacts often cost more over time due to their need for regular replacement, while glasses may have a higher upfront cost but lower long-term expense.

Get Your Hyperopia Contacts at Philip D. Izaac

Farsightedness may make it difficult to carry out your daily activities. However, with the right corrective lenses, such as hyperopia contacts, you can manage this condition and see near objects more comfortably.

Philip D. Izaac is an optometrist in Singapore who helps you on your personalised journey to finding corrective lenses that best suit your condition. We ensure a smooth, precise contact lens fitting process to help you find an ideal solution that aligns with your vision needs and lifestyle. Schedule an appointment with our experienced optometrist today!

Clear Vision Begins with Personalised Eye Consultations

Are you looking for toric contact lenses or other types of specialised lenses prescribed by an optometrist in Singapore? At Philip D. Izaac, we are committed to providing personalised, detailed consultations for the correction and management of astigmatism and myopia. Contact us today to book an appointment.