What are the causes of hypermetropia?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Hypermetropia, also known as farsightedness, occurs when a person can see distant objects clearly but has difficulty focusing on nearby objects. This condition arises from several causes:
- Eyeball Shape: Hypermetropia often occurs when the eyeball is too short from front to back (axial length). When the eye is shorter than normal, light entering the eye does not focus directly on the retina. Instead, it focuses behind the retina, leading to blurry vision for near objects.
- Refractive Power: Another cause is insufficient refractive power of the eye’s lens or cornea. The lens and cornea are responsible for bending light that enters the eye. If these structures do not bend the light enough, it fails to focus on the retina, resulting in hypermetropia.
- Aging: As people age, their lenses become less flexible and lose the ability to accommodate (focus on objects at different distances). This condition, called presbyopia, often combines with hypermetropia, making it more difficult to focus on close objects. People over 40 are more likely to experience this issue.
- Genetics: A family history of hypermetropia can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Genetic factors influence the overall shape and size of the eye, which plays a significant role in refractive errors.
- Environmental Factors: Prolonged use of digital devices, reading in poor lighting, or other activities that strain the eyes may contribute to the development of hypermetropia. However, these factors are less significant compared to anatomical and genetic causes.
Hypermetropia can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam and is commonly corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Glasses or contact lenses work by compensating for the eye’s refractive error, helping light to focus properly on the retina.