Nearsightedness or myopia, is a condition where distance vision is blurry but near or reading vision usually is clear. It is caused by an eye that is longer than normal, or a steep cornea, causing light rays from images to focus in front of the retina. It is commonly diagnosed in school-aged kids who have trouble seeing the blackboard. The condition usually progressively worsens during adolescence and stabilizes in early adulthood.

Signs and Symptoms

• Blurry distance vision

• Squinting can sharpen vision

Causes

It is an inherited condition usually detected in children between the ages of eight and twelve.

Few factors outside of heredity affect this condition. Using dim light, reading too much or nutritional deficiencies do not seem to impact it one-way or the other.

Myopia can be combined with astigmatism.

Detection and Diagnosis

Nearsightedness is detected by a refractive exam performed by the Eye Doctor

Treatment

Myopia can be easily treated in most cases with glasses or contact lenses. Laser refractive surgery (Lasik) is a very successful procedure that can permanently alleviate myopia.