Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that affects how the eyes focus light. In myopic individuals, light rays converge in front of the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in blurred distance vision and clear close-up vision.

This refractive error occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Consequently , children of myopic parents have a higher risk of developing the condition. Other contributing factors to myopia may include:

  • Excessive eye growth: In myopic eyes, the eyeball is slightly longer than normal, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina.
  • Curved cornea: The cornea is the transparent front layer of the eye. In myopic eyes, the cornea has a steeper curvature than normal, which can also contribute to focusing in front of the retina.
  • Spending too much time focusing on close objects: There is some evidence suggesting that spending excessive time on tasks that require close focus, such as reading or working on computers, may increase the risk of myopia, especially in children.

Symptoms

The main symptom of myopia is blurred distance vision. Therefore, myopic individuals may have difficulty seeing distant objects, such as traffic signs or people’s faces on the street. Other symptoms may include:

  • Squinting: Squinting can help temporarily focus on distant objects and reduce blurriness.
  • Eye strain: Reading, driving, or performing tasks that require prolonged focus can lead to fatigue and discomfort in the eyes .
  • Headaches: In some cases, myopia can cause headaches, especially at the end of the day.

Diagnosis of Myopia

The diagnosis of myopia is made through a comprehensive eye examination conducted by an ophthalmologist. The examination may include:

  • Refraction test: This test determines the lens power needed to correct blurred vision.
  • Vision exam: The ophthalmologist will assess the health of your eyes and look for signs of other eye problems.
  • Measurement of eye length: This measurement can help determine the severity of myopia.

Treatment of Myopia

Myopia cannot be cured, but it can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

  • Glasses: Glasses with corrective lenses are the most common treatment for myopia. Negative lenses help focus light rays on the retina and improve distance vision.
  • Contact lenses: Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses. They are thin, transparent lenses placed on the surface of the eye. Myopia contact lenses have negative power that aids in correcting blurred vision.
  • Refractive surgery: Refractive surgery can alter the shape of the cornea or lens of the eye to correct myopia. There are various types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK, PRK, and intraocular lens surgery.