Normally, light is focussed by the cornea and lens to form a sharp image on the retina. Long-sightedness occurs when the eyeball is slightly too short so that the focus point is behind the retina at the back of the eye. If you are long-sighted, you find it more difficult to see clearly objects that are close to you. For example, words on a page or your phone screen may seem blurred.
Long-sightedness affects people of all ages.
People who are long-sighted may:
Children who are long-sighted may not experience these problems, but you may notice one eye turning inwards (towards their nose) as the child tries to focus. This is called a squint and may be more noticeable when the child is tired or unwell. If this happens they may develop a lazy eye, so you should take them to an optometrist without delay.
Long-sightedness can be corrected by glasses or contact lenses.
Find out more about long-sightedness:
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