Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Commonly known as nearsightedness, the myopic eyes sees close objects more clearly than distance objects.

Digital picture of a normal eyeball without Presbyopia

Normal Vision: Light rays pass through the cornea to merge and focus perfectly on the back surface of the eye, called the retina, producing clear vision.

Picture of an eyeball with nearsightedness

Nearsightedness (Myopia): Because the eye is longer than normal, light rays merge and focus before they reach the retina. The nearsighted eye sees close objects more clearly than distant objects.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness (Myopia)

In addition to visual limitations, nearsighted people may experience:

  • Headaches
  • Eyestrain
  • Squinting
  • Fatigue when straining to see at a distance

Treatment of Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Myopia is a common condition that is often hereditary. There are several available treatments, including:

Get EyeSmart

Visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s webpage on Nearsightedness (Myopia).

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