Patient Education

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a visual condition where light is not focused on the back of the eye. Distant objects appear blurry, but near objects appear clear.

Nearsightedness is very common in the U.S., affecting about 30 percent of the population. There is some evidence that nearsightedness is caused by too much near work. Nearsightedness is usually first found in school age children, especially while children are growing.

Signs of nearsightedness include trouble seeing the chalkboard in school or difficulty seeing distant objects like a TV.

If you or your child have experienced these signs, a comprehensive eye exam by your eye doctor can test for nearsightedness. Eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct nearsightedness by altering the way light falls on the back of the eye. You may only have to wear the optical correction for distant activities, such as watching movies.