Nearsightedness

Definition

People with nearsightedness, or myopia, usually have difficulty seeing far objects. In severe cases, they can have trouble seeing objects both far and near.

Myopia

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Causes

Nearsightedness is a type of refractive error. This means the shape of the eye does not bend light correctly, so images are blurred. This usually occurs with an eyeball that is longer or a cornea that is steeper than normal. It may also indicate variations in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes or developing cataract. It may also be temporary after long periods of close-up work when the eyes have trouble refocusing.

Risk Factors

Nearsightedness is more likely to occur in people who have family members with the same condition.

Although the evidence is conflicting, some specialists believe that chronic near work, such as prolonged periods of reading or the daily use of a computer may also increase your chance of developing nearsightedness.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision of distant objects
• Squinting
• Headaches
• Eyestrain

Diagnosis

A vision specialist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will be given an eye exam to determine if lenses will help improve your vision.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options may include:

Corrective Lenses

Nearsightedness can be treated using corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. You will have appointments at regular intervals to assess your vision and determine if your corrective lenses prescription needs to change.

Refractive Surgery

If you elect to undergo the procedure, certain forms of nearsightedness may be treated with refractive surgery. The surgeries used to treat nearsightedness focus on changing the shape of the cornrea to increase the eye's ability to focus. Many of these procedures are done using lasers, such as LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy.

Corneal Refractive Therapy

Corneal refractive therapy, also called orthokeratology, uses a series of hard contact lenses to flatten the cornea over time. When the contact lenses are worn, they eliminate the nearsightedness. However, it is not a permanent solution. If you stop using the contact lenses, the nearsightedness returns as the cornea returns to its original shape.

Intraocular Lens

In some situations, removing your native lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens can help treat nearsightedness.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent nearsightedness.