• Means a person sees things clearer at near (hence the term nearsighted) and blurred for far vision
  • Eye is longer or more curved than normal, which causes light to focus in front of the back of the eye (retina)
  • Genetic tendency
  • Usually develops during childhood, but can evolve in the 20's
  • Usually progresses for several years, then eventually levels out
  • NOT considered an eye disease, just a normal variation in the shape of your eye; a myopic eye is a healthy eye, it just focuses light slightly off target.
  • Corrected with Glasses, Contact lenses, or Refractive surgery
 
Picture myopic eye
(focus before back of eye)		   Picture of normal eye
(focus before back of eye)
     
 
Real photo of a very nearsighted (stretched) eye   Real photo of retina of normal eye
How a person would see who was nearsighted (20/150* vision).
They would not be able to pass the driver's vision test. Nearsightedness can be corrected with lenses (see below).

SYMPTOMS

  • Difficulty seeing distant objects beyond 20 feet
  • Harder to see at night
  • Squinting to improve your vision
  • Headaches
  • Starbursts or glare while night driving
  • Reading is usually not affected

 

* 20/150 means what a person with normal vision can see at 150 ft, that person with poor vision needs to
be at 20 ft before he/she can see that same object.

How is myopia diagnosed?

Nearsightedness is diagnosed through an eye exam

Myopia is often suspected when a child performs poorly during a routine eye screening at school. A referral for a  comprehensive eye health examination will reveal the degree of nearsightedness. Yearly examinations after myopia has been discovered are advised to determine whether the condition is progressing and if a change (stronger) in prescriptive lenses are needed. Those with extreme nearsightness are at higher risk of a retinal tear or detachment. Therefore periodic dilated exams are recommended to ensure that the retina is healthy throughout the entire eye.

How is myopia treated?

  • GLASSES:
    As with other refractive errors, corrective lenses are prescribed to help focus light more effectively on the retina. Depending on the degree of myopia, glasses
    may be needed all of the time for clear vision. If the degree of impairment is slight, glasses may be needed only for activities that require distant vision, such as driving or watching TV.
This is how a nearsighted person would see with and without their glasses
  • CONTACT LENSES:
    - SOFT DISPOSABLE LENSES: These lenses are very supple, very soft, and are disposed of at regular intervals 20/20 vision with glasses, contacts, or Lasik every 2 weeks or monthly). More frequently prescribed.
    Good for sports.

    - RGP: Rigid Gas Permeable.  These lenses are more rigid, and if fit correctly, can somewhat help to minimize the progression of myopia. These can pop out of the eye easier, thus not the first lens of choice for an active individual. These last for several years.
  • REFRACTIVE SURGERY (Lasik): Click here for information

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