The difference between congenital hyperopia and astigmatism
Disease description:
I know many classmates around me are nearsighted, but I've been farsighted and astigmatic since childhood, which makes me feel quite frustrated. I have blurry vision when looking at close objects, and double vision when looking at distant ones. Wearing glasses often makes me uncomfortable. What are the symptoms of farsightedness combined with astigmatism?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen You
Astigmatism and hyperopia are two different refractive conditions. Although both belong to refractive errors, their underlying causes differ. Astigmatism is caused by an irregular shape of the cornea, while hyperopia results from delayed ocular development or a shorter-than-normal axial length, leaving the eye in a state of low refractive power. Both conditions can lead to varying degrees of decreased vision, and their treatment approaches are generally similar, including corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgical correction in adulthood. However, another key difference exists: astigmatism typically remains stable with age or may gradually increase; in contrast, hyperopia generally decreases gradually as one ages—a phenomenon particularly evident in children, while in adults the refractive error usually stabilizes.
