Hyperopia is often thought to be hereditary, but no-one is certain. The eyeball may be a little smaller than average. It tends to increase, but not always. Hyperopes have trouble sooner and may need reading spectacles earlier because they have to focus more to start with. Because a hyperopic person often can see well in the distance, a letter chart test alone may miss hyperopia.
Special tests have to be used, including retinoscopy and refraction.
The optometrist has many things to consider when making a decision and symptoms are very important. In general, young people who are slightly hyperopic do not have problems. If they do, they may need spectacles, mainly for close work such as reading and using computers. Older people, or young people with significant hyperopia, often have problems because focusing requires much effort. Their vision is more likely to be blurred, especially for close objects.