Nearsightedness (Myopia): Causes, Signs and Treatments

Nearsightedness, or myopia, makes faraway things like road signs look blurry while close things stay clear. It is a common vision problem, and glasses, contact lenses or eye surgery usually manage it well.

What Causes Nearsightedness?

The cause lies in the shape of the eye. In myopia, the eyeball grows too long, or the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye, curves too much. Light then focuses in front of the retina instead of on it.

Distant objects look blurry as a result. Eye doctors call this a refractive error.

Risk Factors for Nearsightedness

Anyone can get myopia, and some things raise the risk:

1. Family history: If one or both parents are nearsighted, your chances go up.
2. Close-up work: Long hours of reading or detailed crafts may play a role.
3. Screen time: Many hours on screens have been linked to myopia, especially in young people.
4. Little time outdoors: Spending less time outside appears to be linked to a higher risk.

Symptoms of Myopia

Common signs include:

• Blurry vision when you look at distant objects

• Frequent headaches

• Squinting to see clearly

• Eye strain and tiredness, especially after looking far away

Children may squint, blink often, sit close to screens, or struggle to read a distant board at school.

Types of Myopia

Myopia comes in two main types:

• Simple myopia: This common form often starts in childhood or the teen years and usually levels off in adulthood. Glasses or contacts usually restore clear vision.

• Degenerative myopia: This severe form often worsens over time. It can lead to problems like retinal detachment and glaucoma. Glasses may help less in advanced stages, so you may need more care.

Myopia can affect one eye or both. When both eyes are nearsighted, doctors call it bilateral myopia.

How Nearsightedness Is Diagnosed

A standard eye exam finds nearsightedness. Your doctor tests your distance vision with an eye chart.

A device called a phoropter then finds the lens strength that corrects your sight. See what to expect from a complete eye exam.

Myopia is the opposite of hyperopia, or farsightedness, where close objects look blurry. Astigmatism can come with myopia too.

An uneven cornea causes astigmatism, and it blurs vision at all distances. One pair of corrective lenses can treat both.

Treatment for Nearsightedness

Treatment uses lenses that bend light so it focuses on the retina.

• Eyeglasses: This is the simplest way to correct myopia. See our eyeglasses page.

• Contact lenses: Soft or rigid lenses are another choice. See multifocal contact lenses and our contact lenses.

• Refractive surgery: LASIK, PRK, or an implantable lens (ICL) can reshape the cornea or add a lens to focus light. Ask your eye doctor if you are a good candidate.

In children and teens with fast-changing myopia, special contact lenses or atropine eye drops may slow progression. Your eye doctor can tell you if these are right for you. In some advanced cases, a doctor may advise other surgery, like clear lens replacement.

Can myopia be cured? No cure exists.

Treatment restores or greatly improves vision. LASIK can give lasting results, but age-related changes may still mean glasses later.

Does it get better over time? Myopia usually levels off in early adulthood, but it does not go away on its own.

When to See Your Eye Doctor

Routine exams catch nearsightedness early. Adults over 40 should ask their eye doctor how often to be checked, and many people need a yearly exam after age 65. See more on senior eye exam frequency.

Get urgent care right away if you see sudden floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow across your vision. These can signal retinal detachment.

Complications and Healthy Habits

Untreated myopia can cause school problems in children, a lower quality of life, and more eye strain and headaches. High myopia also raises the risk of glaucoma and cataracts. The National Eye Institute has more on myopia.

These habits help you manage it:

• Schedule regular eye exams.

• Protect your eyes from bright sunlight.

• Take a screen break every 20 minutes and look at something far away.

• Stay healthy with a good diet and exercise.

Ready for a clear view? Book your eye exam with us.