Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Overview
Nearsightedness or myopia, occurs
when light entering the eye focuses in front of the
retina
instead of directly on it.
This is caused by a
cornea that
is steeper, or an eye that is longer, than a normal eye.
Nearsighted people typically see well up close, but have
difficulty seeing far away.
This problem is often discovered in
school-age children who report having trouble seeing the chalkboard. Near-sightedness usually becomes progressively worse through
adolescence and stabilizes in early adulthood.
It is an inherited problem.
Illustration by Mark
Erickson
Signs and Symptoms
- Blurry distance vision
- Vision seems clearer when
squinting
Detection and Diagnosis
Nearsightedness is detected with a
vision test and
refraction.
Treatment
The treatment for nearsightedness depends on several factors such as
the patient’s age, activities, and occupation.
Vision can corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.
Refractive procedures such as
LASIK can be
considered for adults when the prescription has remained stable for
at least one year.
Illustration by Mark
Erickson
St. Luke's Cataract & Laser
Institute provides this on-line information for educational and
communication purposes only and it should not be construed as
personal medical advice. Information published on this St.
Luke's website is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a
consultation with an eye care professional regarding the
viewer/user's own medical care. St. Luke's disclaims any and
all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use
of the information obtained from this site. |
