Hyperopia is generally characterized by an eyeball that is proportionally too short in relation to its focusing elements. In some cases, it is also characterized by a cornea that is flatter than normal. As a result of these irregularities, light rays do not have enough space in which to converge and focus before reaching the retina.
People who are farsighted are usually able to see distant objects clearly because the parallel rays coming from the distance can be brought to a focal point easier by the eye than the diverging light rays from near objects.