Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness, or myopia, occurs when the cornea (the clear window on the front of the eye) is too steep or the eye is too long. This causes light to focus in front of the retina, resulting in blurry distance vision.
Nearsightedness is a very common condition that affects nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population. It normally starts to appear between the ages of six and 12 years old, and almost always before the age of 20.
Many times, nearsightedness is diagnosed during school vision screenings or through impaired classroom performance. Sometimes parents notice their children having trouble seeing the television.
The doctors at Ocean Eye will conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether the eyes focus light properly. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. The doctor will also check your eye coordination and muscle control. Those who are nearsighted are at an increased risk of retinal tears/holes, so our doctors will evaluate your retina to rule these conditions out (see Flashes and Floaters section of our website)
Nearsightedness can be treated with three methods:
- Glasses
- Contact Lenses
- Vision correction surgery (LASIK)
