What causes long sightedness?
Long sightedness is caused by the eye being shorter than its focusing power requires, or by the cornea being flatter than average. It is often present from birth and frequently runs in families.
- Subject
- Vision problems
- Topic
- Hyperopia (long sightedness)
- Kind of question
- What causes…
- Last reviewed
- 22 September 2026
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Where this answer sits
It is one of 483 answers in the vision and eye health knowledge base, filed under Vision problems & prescriptions in Hyperopia (long sightedness) . The subject page carries the answers either side of it, and the hub is searchable.
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- Condition Hyperopia (long sightedness)
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace an examination by a qualified eye-care professional.
General answers cannot tell you what is happening in your own eyes. Only an examination by a qualified ophthalmologist can do that.
Sources & further reading
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- Eye Health Information
Condition-by-condition eye health information from a US government research institute, written for patients rather than for clinicians.
Used for Plain-language explanations of eye conditions and their symptoms; Healthy vision and screening guidance.
Link checked 23 September 2026