# What is Hyperopic Astigmatism?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/what-is-hyperopic-astigmatism

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-17

> **Summary:** Hyperopic astigmatism is the combination of hyperopia and astigmatism: the eye's meridians refract light differently and light focuses behind the retina in one or both of them. It blurs near vision and distorts vision at all distances, and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, laser surgery or intraocular lenses.

## Quick Facts
- **Laser limit for hyperopia:** Up to +5 dioptres, depending on the method
- **Laser suitability:** Age eighteen or over, no significant prescription change over the past year, suitable eye structure and corneal thickness
- **Laser methods for hyperopic astigmatism:** iLASIK and PRK / No Touch (ReLEx SMILE PRO is not used for hyperopia)
- **Diagnosis:** Routine eye examination with autorefractor measurements

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## What is Hyperopia?
Light focuses behind the retina, usually because the eyeball is shorter than normal or the cornea or lens has insufficient refractive power. In mild hyperopia distance vision is usually clear and near vision blurred; at higher degrees distance vision blurs too. At young ages accommodation can compensate, so symptoms may appear later as this ability declines with age.

**Symptoms:** Blurred near vision, eye strain and pain, headache, squinting to see, inward deviation (squint) in children, burning and watering.

## What is Astigmatism?
Usually an irregular corneal surface (more rarely the lens) with different curvatures in different meridians, like an egg or the back of a spoon, so light forms more than one focal point.

**Symptoms:** Blurred or distorted vision at every distance, shadowed or double vision, poor night vision, eye strain and headache, tilting the head to see.

## Types of Astigmatism
- **Simple hyperopic astigmatism:** One meridian focuses on the retina, the other behind it.
- **Compound hyperopic astigmatism:** Both meridians focus behind the retina.
- **Myopic astigmatism:** Light focuses in front of the retina.

Hyperopic astigmatism can affect vision quality more than either error alone and can disturb both distance and near vision considerably.

## Treatment
Personalised by age, degree of error, lifestyle and eye structure.
- **Glasses:** The most common, simple and safe correction.
- **Contact lenses:** Same principle, placed on the cornea; safe with proper care and hygiene.
- **Laser eye surgery:** Permanent solution for suitable candidates; iLASIK and PRK / No Touch are used (ReLEx SMILE PRO is not used for hyperopia); in hyperopia up to +5 dioptres depending on the method. Suitability: age eighteen or over, stable prescription over the past year, suitable eye structure including corneal thickness.
- **Phakic intraocular lens:** For high hyperopia and astigmatism unsuitable for laser; the natural lens stays in place.
- **Refractive lens exchange (multifocal lens):** Generally over forty, with or without cataract; the natural lens is replaced with a multifocal (trifocal) lens for distance, intermediate and near; a toric lens corrects astigmatism at the same time.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can hyperopic astigmatism be treated completely?**
A: Yes, in suitable patients laser surgery or an intraocular lens can correct it permanently; glasses and lenses correct it temporarily.

**Q: Can laser treatment be applied to everyone?**
A: No. Corneal thickness, prescription, eye health and age determine suitability.

**Q: Does it matter in children?**
A: Yes. Untreated, it can increase the risk of lazy eye and squint; regular examination matters.

**Q: Is wearing contact lenses safe?**
A: Yes, as long as care and hygiene rules are followed, with attention to infection risk.

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## References
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia), NEI
- Astigmatism, NEI
- Astigmatism Explained: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, AAO