What is long-sightedness?
- Part of the eye
- Focusing (hyperopia)
- Group
- Common conditions
- Vision functions involved
- Focus
- Main source
- NHS
Long-sightedness is a focusing problem which makes close tasks hard work. An eye examination can tell the difference between long-sightedness and other causes of reading difficulty.
Optometrist
An eye-care professional who tests sight, checks eye health and can refer you for specialist care.
How long-sightedness can affect day-to-day life
You may recognise some of these situations, or none of them. The point is to find help with the things you want to do.
Books and phone messages
Nearby words may look fuzzy, and you may move them farther away to see more clearly.
Arrange an eye test. Ask which glasses, if needed, are suitable for your reading distance.
A day at the computer
Close work can leave your eyes feeling tired or give you a headache.
Describe your screen distance and how long symptoms take to appear when you visit the optometrist.
Children doing close work
A child may struggle with nearby pictures or words without knowing how clear they should look.
Seek an eye assessment if you notice difficulty. Do not wait for the child to describe blurred sight precisely.
Changes you may notice
- Fuzzy words or pictures close up.
- Tired eyes or headaches after close work.
Everyone is different. Symptoms on their own cannot identify a condition.
What to do about a new or sudden changeAssessment and care
An optometrist checks your prescription and your eye health. Glasses or contact lenses can improve focusing. Children with suspected difficulties should be assessed. Do not wait for them to describe the problem.
How vision is affected
These topics explain the parts of vision involved. They do not predict your sight, diagnose anything or show the condition itself.
Focus
The cornea and lens focus light onto the retina. A focusing problem is different from damage to the light-sensitive cells or the optic nerve.
Open the focus labEveryday support
Describe which tasks cause strain and how long you can do them before symptoms start. Take your current glasses and any older prescription to your appointment.
A question to take to your appointment
Which glasses should I use for reading, screens and everyday tasks?Prepare your appointment checklist
Sources and review status
Sources checked 4 October 2026. Educational draft, not yet clinically reviewed. No clinician has endorsed this page. Follow the advice of your own eye-care team.
How this content is prepared