A person with shortsightedness can see close objects clearly, but may have trouble seeing objects from a distance – like a road sign, blackboard, or face across the room. It’s a common condition, experts believe that at least 33% of people are nearsighted.
What Causes Shortsightedness?
Shortsightedness or myopia happens when the eye has a long shape, which causes light rays to focus too far in front of the retina, making distance vision difficult.
Like farsightedness, myopia can be inherited. It is often discovered when children are 8 to 12 years old. During the teenage years, when the body is growing rapidly, shortsightedness can get worse. Typically, between ages 20 and 40 there is little change.
Symptoms of Nearsightedness
An eye care professional can diagnose shortsightedness with a simple eye exam. The most common symptoms of shortsightedness include:
- Blurred distance vision
- Frequent squinting of eyes
- Eye strain or headaches from trying to focus
Treatments for Shortsightedness
Shortsightedness is easily corrected by refocusing the light rays onto the retina of the eye. This is commonly done through:
- Eyeglasses and Contact lenses: the simplest treatment option chosen by most patients with nearsightedness.
- Surgery: Surgical options are also available. These procedures use laser technology or manual incisions to remove small amounts of tissue from the cornea.
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