What is Nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness or myopia is the most common cause of blurred vision when viewing objects at a distance. People with nearsightedness must squint or strain to see objects that are not nearby. This is most notable for children in a classroom setting where it can be difficult to read the blackboard. At home, a child with nearsightedness might insist on sitting close to the television, or hold books very near the face.
Nearsightedness can develop early in life or in adulthood, and is caused by the eyeball becoming oval or egg-shaped instead of round. When this happens, light entering the eye's lens does not reach the retina at the back of the eyeball, but focuses just ahead of it. The result is blurred vision.
Nearsightedness is not considered a disease, but caused by a natural shift in the shape of the eye. If one or both parents are nearsighted, it is more likely their children will also be nearsighted. Some evidence suggests nearsightedness might also be brought on by doing too much close work over a prolonged period of time. Luckily, there are many ways to treat nearsightedness.
Eyeglasses can correct nearsightedness, and advancements in lens material have made glasses more comfortable than ever. At one time, severe nearsightedness required thick lenses that distorted the face, making the eyes look abnormally small, but this is no longer the case. Special lenses today can be so thin and light as to hardly be noticeable, while correcting nearly any grade of nearsightedness.
For those who don't like wearing glasses, contact lenses are another option for nearsightedness. Hard or soft lenses are available in clear or tinted styles. Some people like to buy tinted contacts to change the color of their eyes. Others have difficulty placing something on the eye, or have abnormally dry eyes that limit the type of lenses which can be worn.
If glasses and contacts are both undesirable, implanted lenses or laser surgery are two more options for correcting nearsightedness. These choices are more expensive than contact lenses or glasses.
Though rare, there are other possible causes for nearsightedness that can be serious. Advanced or uncontrolled diabetes can cause nearsightedness, as can a condition called pathological myopia, in which the rear portion of the eyeball continues to grow past adulthood. Cataracts can also cause blurred vision.
In most cases, however, people suffering from nearsightedness can easily be relieved of the condition through one or more of the treatments mentioned. If the onset occurs in childhood, nearsightedness commonly gets worse into early adulthood, then stabilizes. Nearsightedness generally does not get better on its own, though it might improve somewhat as patients approach middle age or their senior years.
This article contains general information about nearsightedness, but is not to be used in place of a medical diagnosis or construed as medical advice. If experiencing problems with your vision, see a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Written by R. Kayne
