Myopia (nearsightedness/short-sightedness)

What is nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness, also know as myopia and short-sightedness, means you are unable to focus on objects in the distance. Depending on their degree of myopia most people are still able to focus clearly focus on objects close to them, and can see to perform close up tasks like reading or writing. Though far away objects, even an object on the other side of a room, will appear blurry.

Normal Vision

When we look at an object rays of light pass through the front of our eyes, which is called the cornea, and then through the lens, to the area at the back of our eyes, called the retina. When our vision is normal these rays of light become electrical signals that travel through the optic nerve, located at the back of the eye, to the brain.

Nearsighted vision

Nearsightedness occurs when the rays of light focus in front of the retina. There are several reasons this can happen. If the distance from the cornea, the front of your eye, to the retina, the back of your eye, is longer than normal it causes the light rays to fall short resulting in a blurry image. The cornea having too strong a curvature is another cause of myopia. When you look at a object that is close to you, the rays of light from the object enter the eye at a different angle than from a distant object, and are focused onto your retina correctly.

The symptoms of nearsightedness

An inability to focus on distant objects.

This will vary depending on the severity of your nearsightedness, but in general you will be able to read and write, while struggling to focus on an object on the other side of a room, such as a blackboard or picture.

Suffering sore eyes and eye strain.

Because your eyes are constantly working on trying to focus on objects outside of a certain radius, that should be easily visible with normal vision, this continual strain will build up and result in eye strain. You may also find as you struggle to see distant object you stare without blinking, causing the eyes to become dry and irritable.

Squinting.

If you suffer from untreated nearsightedness you find yourself squinting in an attempt to see objects more clearly, such as a or road sign. This is a natural reaction when trying to force the eyes to focus and may lead to headaches and tiredness.

Who is at risk?

Myopia is usually a condition that develops in childhood or adolescence, although it tends to stabilise as we reach our mid-twenties. It is often noticed at school when a child is struggling to read what is written on the blackboard, while the rest of the class have no problem. It may also become apparent in young adults if they struggle to read text on a computer screen, resulting in them leaning forwards to peer at the screen.

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