Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is a common vision condition that makes nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects are clear. It occurs when the shape of the eye makes light focus behind the retina instead of on it. Farsightedness usually is present at birth and tends to run in families. The degree of farsightedness influences your focusing ability, and people with severe farsightedness may be able to clearly see only objects a great distance away, while those with mild farsightedness may be able to clearly see objects that are closer. Symptoms of farsightedness include trouble seeing things up close, eye strain, and headaches, especially when reading. Children with severe farsightedness may also be at higher risk for other eye problems, like crossed eyes or amblyopia (lazy eye) . Farsightedness can be diagnosed through a basic eye exam, and it can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.