The far point for a hyperopic eye is caused by what type of object?

The far point for a hyperopic eye is caused by what type of object?

• A. Real
• B. Virtual
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

The far point is the location in space from which light would have to originate for an image to be formed on the retina with the eye in its relaxed state. In hyperopia, the eye’s optical power is too weak to focus even distant light onto the retina, so to see a distant object clearly the eye must accommodate. If you imagine where a point light source would have to be so that, with the eye in its unaccommodated state, its rays still focus on the retina, that point lies behind the eyeball. Therefore, the far point is considered virtual. (In contrast, for myopia the far point is a real point in front of the eye.)

The far point is the location in space from which light would have to originate for an image to be formed on the retina with the eye in its relaxed state. In hyperopia, the eye’s optical power is too weak to focus even distant light onto the retina, so to see a distant object clearly the eye must accommodate. If you imagine where a point light source would have to be so that, with the eye in its unaccommodated state, its rays still focus on the retina, that point lies behind the eyeball. Therefore, the far point is considered virtual. (In contrast, for myopia the far point is a real point in front of the eye.)