Nearsighted

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Nearsightedness, also known as Myopia (pronounced: my-OH-pee-uh), is a common eye condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry.

Etymology

The term "nearsighted" comes from the fact that near objects are seen clearly, while objects that are far away are not. "Myopia" is derived from the Greek words "myein" (to shut) and "ops" (eye), as people with myopia often squint.

Symptoms

Symptoms of nearsightedness may include:

Difficulty seeing objects at a distance, such as road signs or faces
Squinting or partially closing the eyelids to see clearly
Headaches caused by excessive eye strain
Difficulty seeing while driving, especially at night (night myopia)

Causes

Nearsightedness is often hereditary. It usually begins in childhood and you may have a higher risk if your parents are nearsighted. It occurs when the eyeball is too long, relative to the focusing power of the cornea and lens of the eye. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina, rather than directly on its surface.

Treatment

Treatment for nearsightedness may include wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK may be an option.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Nearsighted
Wikipedia's article - Nearsighted

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