What is nearsightedness or myopia?
Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry.
Nearsightedness may develop gradually or rapidly, often worsening during childhood and adolescence.
Nearsightedness tends to run in families. Scientists think that family anamnesis is one of the main risk factors of myopia.
A basic eye exam can confirm nearsightedness. You can compensate for the blur with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
Symptoms
Nearsightedness symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
- The need to squint or partially close the eyelids to see clearly
- Headaches caused by eyestrain
- Difficulty seeing while driving a vehicle, especially at night (night myopia)
Nearsightedness is often first detected during childhood and is commonly diagnosed between the early school years through the teens.
A child with nearsightedness may:
- Persistently squint
- Need to sit closer to the television, movie screen or the front of the classroom
- Seem to be unaware of distant objects
- Blink excessively
- Rub his or her eyes frequently
When to see a doctor
You should consult your doctor when you notice any change in vision.
Seek emergency medical care if you experience:
- The sudden appearance of many floaters — tiny specks that seem to drift through your field of vision
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes
- A curtain-like shadow over your visual field
Causes
The reason for myopia is that your eye sockets are either longer than normal or the cornea is overly bent.
Other refractive disorders besides myopia include farsightedness and astigmatism.
The following risk factors may contribute to the development of myopia:
- Genetics;
- Environmental factors.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556
