American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

What type of lens is commonly used to correct hyperopia?

1. Concave lens

2. Convex lens

3. Planar lens

4. Cylindrical lens

The correct answer is: Convex lens

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina, making it difficult for individuals to see objects up close clearly. To correct this refractive error, a convex lens is utilized. A convex lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges and converges light rays before they enter the eye. This adjustment allows the focus of light to shift forward, directly onto the retina, thereby improving near vision and providing clearer images for those with hyperopia. Convex lenses are denoted by positive diopter values and are effective in treating this condition. In contrast, other types of lenses do not serve the same purpose for hyperopia correction. Concave lenses, which are thinner in the middle and diverge light rays, are used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). Planar lenses do not alter the path of light and are generally not used for correcting refractive errors. Cylindrical lenses are specifically designed to address astigmatism by correcting unequal curvature in the eye, which is unrelated to hyperopia. Therefore, the use of a convex lens is the appropriate choice for correcting hyperopia.