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Farsightedness (hypermetropia) is a very common visual impairment, especially in adulthood. It lies in the fact that a person does not see nearby objects well. As for distant objects, they can look both quite clear and blurry – it all depends on the type and degree of hypermetropia. For example, the “senile eye”, or presbyopia, is most often characterized by normal visualization at a distance and insufficient visualization at a close distance. And people with very strong farsightedness do not see well either near or far. This happens because the focus of the light rays passing through the optical medium of the eye is located in a conditional plane behind the retina, and not on it, and it is no longer possible to move it into place by expanding the lens.
Regardless of the severity of the pathology, it can be successfully compensated by optics. Sometimes wearing glasses with converging lenses is the only way to ensure clarity of vision or stop its further deterioration, because the methods of surgical and laser correction are not indicated for children, and older patients may no longer be available due to wear and tear of the visual apparatus or the presence of concomitant diseases. That is why the correct selection of glasses for farsightedness remains such an urgent issue.
A qualified ophthalmologist should be engaged in the selection of optics; under his guidance, the patient must undergo a series of special tests. The subjective sensations of a person when putting on various glasses offered in the salon cannot be a reliable evaluation criterion, since the refractive system of the eye adapts to changing conditions. And if it seems to you that in such an accessory you see quite clearly, this can only mean that your eyes are as strained as possible. Wearing such glasses will not bring any benefit, on the contrary, it will lead to increased fatigue of the visual apparatus, headaches and accelerated depletion of the accommodation resource.
From the following conversation, you will learn all the most important things about optical vision correction for hyperopia: if you need glasses for farsightedness, which lenses should be installed there? Should I wear an accessory all the time? Do children need glasses for farsightedness? Are there devices that can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness at the same time? How to properly use and store optics so that it lasts a long time? And the fair sex will surely come in handy with tips on applying makeup under glasses with farsightedness in order to look confident and attractive in them.
What lenses are used in glasses for farsightedness?
Let’s start with the main thing – by considering the properties and functions of the lenses used to correct hypermetropia. As we have already mentioned, with this visual disorder, the focus of light rays shifts beyond the retina, therefore, it must be returned to its place, in the region of the macula (macula). To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the refraction, because the cornea and lens of the patient do not cope with their tasks. Therefore, farsighted glasses should be equipped with convex converging lenses.
The indexes of refraction (refraction) are measured in diopters. At the same time, zero is in the center of the scale, which corresponds to normal one hundred percent vision, or scientifically “emmetropia”. Deviation in the negative direction corresponds to myopia (nearsightedness), and in the positive direction – hypermetropia (farsightedness). The more pronounced this deviation, the thicker the lenses required for optical correction will be. This means that the glasses will be rather bulky, and it will be more difficult to find a harmonious and reliable frame for them.
Let’s consider this dependence in more detail:
Weak degree of hypermetropia (from +0,1 D to +3 D) – the accessory will be light and comfortable, with thin lenses, which will suit absolutely any frame, the main thing is that it should be liked and suit the person. Such glasses are usually prescribed to older people for reading and working at a computer, that is, for occasional use;
Average degree of hypermetropia (from +3 D to +6 D) – devices of this type are designed for constant wear, without them it will not be easy for a person in everyday life, since near vision is seriously weakened. The lenses in such glasses are already quite thick, so the frame should be chosen wide, strong, made of modern polymers, black or colored. Thin metal arms will look ridiculous, and they will not withstand the load;
High degree of hypermetropia (more than +6 D) – such lenses require a very careful approach to design, and not only because of the massive appearance, which can only be compensated by a transparent or very light frame. First of all, it must be stable and reliable so that the glasses do not fall off during wear and serve the owner as long as possible.
Features of the selection of glasses for farsightedness
The successful choice of an optical accessory depends on several aspects, including:
The results of the examination by an ophthalmologist. To determine the degree of hypermetropia, methods such as skiascopy, refractometry, accommodometry and some others are used – the need for additional techniques is determined by the doctor, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. Most of these tests are carried out under conditions of artificially created rest of accommodation, which is achievable by instillation of atropine sulfate into the eyes. Moreover, indicators are set in diopters for each eye separately, since in almost all people refractive errors manifest themselves differently in different eyes. It is also mandatory to measure the distance between the pupils and confirm the absence of binocular visual defects;
The distance from the eyes to the lenses and to the objects under consideration. Properly selected glasses for farsightedness provide clarity of visualization of objects located 32-35 centimeters from the face. In this case, the glasses should sit so that there is a gap of 12 millimeters between the cornea and the glasses;
The need for constant or occasional eyeglass wear. The choice of the type of optical accessories directly depends on this moment, among which there are glasses “for near” and “for distance”, as well as devices with multifocal lenses, which enable continuous use and clear vision at any distance. Such glasses are simply indispensable for people with nearsightedness and farsightedness at the same time. As for age-related presbyopic disorders, then usually a person will have enough single-vision accessories for reading and painstaking work, which he will use as needed;
Patient’s age and occupation. Obviously, the main criteria for choosing glasses for farsightedness in a child or an elderly person are convenience, reliability and safety, while image is very important for young people. But that’s not all – there are professions that require clarity of vision at a certain distance other than the typical 32-35 cm. For example, a musician needs to see notes when the music stand is 60 cm from the face, and the cook would like to cut food without bending over the cutting board. All these points should be taken into account by the doctor when selecting glasses for farsightedness.
When the prescription is in your hands, it remains to visit the optics salon and purchase the appropriate accessory. But do not rush to go home – look like a little new thing, listen to your feelings. If within 15-30 minutes there is no discomfort (burning, cramping, tearing, blurring, doubling), then the glasses are right for you.
For obvious reasons, we will not consider here such aspects as the brand of lenses or the type of frame – this is the lot of commercial organizations that sell optics. Let’s just say that a good quality accessory is not necessarily expensive, and that if you have nearsightedness and farsightedness at the same time, it is more profitable to buy one multifocal glasses than several separate “for near”, “for distance” and for working at a computer.
Should I wear glasses with farsightedness all the time?
Starting to wear glasses without taking them off immediately after you first purchased them is definitely not worth it. You need to give your eyes time to get used to the accessory, usually two weeks is enough for this. If after this period you are still uncomfortable with glasses, especially if wearing them is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, it is better to visit an ophthalmologist and tell about the problem. You may need to change the characteristics of the lenses or choose a different frame.
As for the very need to constantly wear glasses with farsightedness, it depends on the severity of the pathology and the combination with other disorders. If a person simply had an age-related decrease in near visual acuity within 3 diopters, and at a distance the visualization remains clear, he does not always need to wear glasses – it is enough to put them on as needed. If the patient has moderate to high hypermetropia, especially in an adult or elderly, this almost always means that he sees poorly both near and far, and therefore needs to constantly wear glasses.
Optical correction is not a method of treating hypermetropia, but if measures are taken in time, further deterioration of the visual apparatus is inhibited. That is why you should not neglect the advice of a doctor if he recommends that you start wearing glasses. In addition, if you have already been diagnosed with a visual impairment, you should regularly see an ophthalmologist to track the dynamics of changes and select the appropriate optical accessories. A sharp deterioration in well-being, the appearance of severe headaches, diplopia (double vision), a feeling of fullness in the eyeballs should be the reason for an immediate visit to the hospital in order to avoid serious complications (glaucoma, cataracts, blindness).
Video: How to choose glasses? Forms, frames, materials:
In the case of presbyopia, a person usually needs glasses that will be comfortable for him to read, write and interact with close objects, because far vision remains satisfactory. But this is not always the case. The fact is that age-related farsightedness after 40-45 years inevitably develops in all people, including absolutely healthy ones, since accommodation resources are depleted.
The nucleus of the lens undergoes gradual sclerosis, which prevents the change in curvature and the return of the focus of light rays to the surface of the retina. In addition, the ligament of cinnamon and the ciliary girdle, the elements that control the lens, wear out. All this leads to the fact that after 40 years, even people with one hundred percent vision begin to see worse at close range. Usually, the deviation is within +3 diopters, and after 60 years, there is no further decrease in near vision acuity, because the lens is sclerotic, and the accommodation mechanism is completely lost.
It is quite another matter if the patient has had myopia throughout his life. Nearsighted people experience presbyopia a little later, at the age of 45-50. This situation turns into the fact that due to the underlying disease, a person sees very poorly in the distance, and due to aging of the eyes, now he also sees poorly near. Relatively clear in such patients, only vision at an intermediate, “average” distance remains.
With hypermetropes, the situation is worst of all – in them, presbyopia manifests itself after 35 years. And the older a person becomes, the more intense the distance between the points of extreme clarity of near and far vision is reduced. Thus, by about the age of 50, the patient sees poorly in general all objects and needs to constantly wear glasses.
Video: vision correction for presbyopia (farsightedness):
Glasses storage and care
Choosing glasses for farsightedness is not all, you need to learn how to use and store them correctly so that the accessory will last you as long as possible, especially when it comes to expensive optics.
How to wear? Glasses should not be worn on the head like a headband – this leads to stretching of the temples and loosening of the screws at the attachment point. For the same reason, you should not remove the product from your face with one hand, making a “tearing off” movement to the side. Very soon, a regularly damaged shackle will fall off. It is necessary to remove glasses with both hands, carefully and confidently taking them by both temples – this is the only way to prevent them from falling. No need to wear glasses and like a necklace, hanging them on a chain on your chest for fear of losing. You can accidentally hit them on something and break. If you need to adjust your glasses on your nose, do not do it by resting on the bridge with your fingertip, especially if the product has a painted frame. Otherwise, a stain will form in the most visible place, and the accessory will look ugly. You need to correct the glasses by taking them by the lens with two fingers, from above and below. This will also keep the bridge from loosening as a result of constant pressure on it.
How to store? The optical product must not come into contact with hard objects that can damage its design and scratch the lenses. Put the glasses on the table with the glasses up, store in the case in the same position. It should be tight, like a snap-on box, well suited in size (the product should not hang out in it). Soft cases are a bad idea, lenses will constantly fidget on their inner surface and collect microdamages. In any case, you should not leave it for a long time, and even more so, store your glasses in the bathroom or kitchen, where there is high humidity and there is a risk of aggressive liquids. For plastic lenses, high temperatures are especially destructive – the optical functions of the product may be impaired. Any lenses “do not like” the effects of perfumes and deodorants, so you should preen without glasses.
How to clean? It is recommended to wipe the optics daily with a special soft microfiber cloth, which is best stored in a case with glasses. A coarser cloth or paper towels are not suitable for this purpose – they will leave microscopic scratches on the lenses. Farsighted glasses can be washed like any other similar devices, but only using non-aggressive household chemicals, such as liquid soap.
Features of the care of glass lenses
Glass lenses are more durable and resistant to scratches, but at the same time they are heavy and fragile – they can simply break if dropped. With a high degree of hypermetropia, very massive lenses are required, therefore, if they are glass, the total weight of the product will be impressive, and you will have to wear such glasses carefully. Caring for optics with glass lenses is very simple – you need to wash it and wipe it with microfiber, but remember that if a special polymer coating is applied to the glass, for example, to protect against ultraviolet radiation, such an accessory cannot be treated with fat-dissolving compounds, such as vinegar or dishwashing detergent, windows and mirrors.
Features of the care of plastic lenses
Plastic lenses have a lot of advantages: they are inexpensive, lightweight, durable and comfortable. But at the same time, they wear out very quickly, become covered with small scratches and stains. The main thing in caring for glasses with plastic lenses is caution and delicacy. You can wipe them only with microfiber, store them in a hard case, wash them with shampoo or liquid soap, and only with cool water, in no case hot!
In conclusion, I would like to say that high-quality and properly selected glasses for farsightedness will serve you for at least three years, if they are well cared for. It is possible that the lenses will have to be replaced earlier than this due to damage or simply because the vision has changed and the optics are no longer suitable for you. In any case, the frame must withstand at least three years of operation. Take care of your eyes and be healthy!
Author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist