Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Topic Overview

What is nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common cause of blurred vision. If you are nearsighted, objects in the distance appear blurry and out of focus. You might squint or frown when trying to see distant objects clearly. View a photo as seen through a normal and a nearsighted eye.

Nearsightedness is usually a variation from normal, not a disease. Less often, nearsightedness happens because of another disease or condition.

What causes nearsightedness?

Most nearsightedness is caused by a natural change in the shape of the eyeball that makes the eyeball oval (egg-shaped) rather than round. Less often, nearsightedness may be caused by a change in the cornea or the lens.

These problems cause light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina. Normally, light focuses directly on the retina. See a picture of the parts of the eye.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of nearsightedness is blurred vision when looking at distant objects. You may have trouble clearly seeing images or words on a blackboard, movie screen, or television. This can lead to poor school, athletic, or work performance.

You may think your child is nearsighted if he or she squints or frowns or holds books or other objects very close to his or her face. Children who are nearsighted may sit at the front of the classroom or very close to the TV or movie screen. They may not be interested in sports or other activities that require good distance vision.

How is nearsightedness diagnosed?

A routine eye examination can show whether you are nearsighted. The eye examination includes questions about your eyesight and a physical examination of your eyes. Ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, a slit lamp examination, and other vision tests are also part of a routine eye examination.

Eye examinations should be done for new babies and at all well-child visits.¹ Nearsightedness most commonly begins in childhood or in the early teens (between the ages of 8 and 14), so it is usually first discovered in children of grade-school age.

Nearsightedness can be mild, moderate, or high.

How is it treated?

Eyeglasses or contact lenses can help correct nearsightedness. Surgery can also be done to change the shape of the cornea or to implant artificial lenses in the eyes to reduce or fix nearsightedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about nearsightedness:	What is nearsightedness? What causes nearsightedness? What are the symptoms of nearsightedness? What increases my chance of getting nearsightedness? Can nearsightedness be prevented? Who is affected by nearsightedness?
Being diagnosed:	How is nearsightedness diagnosed? How can I tell whether my child is nearsighted? When and how often should I have an eye examination? What tests are available to determine whether I am nearsighted?
Getting treatment:	How is nearsightedness treated? Are there medicines to treat nearsightedness? Are contact lenses right for me? Is surgery an option? Are there exercises I can do to improve my vision?
Ongoing concerns:	Will nearsightedness get worse? Is nearsightedness inherited? Does reading or computer use make nearsightedness worse?
Living with nearsightedness:	What are the long-term benefits of surgery? Should I have laser surgery for nearsightedness?

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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