Nearsightedness is an eye condition in which you can
see nearby objects clearly, but faraway objects appear fuzzy or blurry.
It’s also called myopia.
Nearsightedness is extremely common but treatable. According to the American Optometric Association, almost 30 percent of Americans are nearsighted.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Nearsightedness
The most obvious symptom of nearsightedness is blurry
vision when you look at faraway objects. Children may have trouble
seeing the blackboard at school. Adults may not be able to see street
signs clearly while driving.
Other signs of nearsightedness include:
- headaches
- eyes that hurt or feel tired
- squinting
The symptoms of nearsightedness usually go away after
treatment with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Headaches and eye fatigue
may linger for a week or two as you adjust to your new eyeglass or
contact lens prescription.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors for Nearsightedness
According to the National Eye Institute,
myopia is often diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 12. Your eyes are
growing at this age, so the shape of your eyes can change. Adults
usually remain nearsighted if they have the condition as a child. Adults
can also become nearsighted due to certain health conditions, such as
diabetes.
Visual stress is another risk factor for
nearsightedness. This is eyestrain from doing detailed work, such as
reading or using a computer.
Nearsightedness can also be an inherited condition.
If one or both of your parents are nearsighted, you’re more likely to be
as well.
Anatomy: How Does the Eye Work?
Nearsightedness is caused by a refractive error.
A refractive error occurs when your eye doesn’t focus light correctly.
If you’re nearsighted, your eye focuses light in front of your retina
instead of onto it. This results in blurred vision.
The retina is the surface at the back of your eye
that collects light. It changes the light into electrical impulses that
your brain reads as images.
A myopic, or nearsighted, eye focuses incorrectly
because its shape is slightly abnormal. A nearsighted eyeball is usually
a little too long, and sometimes its cornea is too rounded.
The cornea is the clear covering on the front of your eye.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Correction for Nearsightedness
Your eye doctor can diagnose nearsightedness by performing a complete eye exam.
Correction for nearsightedness may include:
- corrective lenses
- corneal refractive therapy
- refractive surgery
Eyeglasses and contact lenses are examples of
corrective lenses. These devices compensate for the curvature of your
cornea or the elongation of your eye by shifting the focus of light as
it enters your eye.
Your prescription strength will depend on how far you
can see clearly. You may need to wear corrective lenses all the time or
just for certain activities, such as driving.
Contact lenses generally give you a wider field of
corrected vision than glasses. They’re applied directly to the corneas
of your eyes. Some patients can’t tolerate contact lenses because they
irritate the surface of their eyes.
Refractive surgery is a permanent form of correction
for nearsightedness. Also called laser eye surgery, the procedure
reshapes your cornea to focus light onto your retina. Most people who
have refractive eye surgery no longer need to wear contact lenses or
eyeglasses.
Outlook
Long-Term Outlook
Most nearsighted patients see marked improvement with
treatment. Early treatment of myopia can prevent social and academic
difficulties that can accompany poor eyesight.
Prevention
Protecting Your Vision
You can’t prevent nearsightedness. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, some research suggests you may be able to slow its development.
To help protect your eyes:
- Get your vision checked regularly.
- Wear corrective lenses prescribed by your eye doctor.
- Wear sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection.
- Use protective eyewear when doing risky activities, such as using toxic chemicals.
- Take regular breaks from detailed work, such as looking at your computer screen.
- Manage chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Avoid smoking.
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