Myopia

Myopia
Table of Contents
Alternative names Definition Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors	Prevention Symptoms Signs & Tests Treatment	Expectations Complications Calling Your health care provider
Alternative Names Nearsightedness
Definition An error of visual focusing that causes difficulty seeing distant objects.
Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors With this disorder, near objects are seen clearly, while objects in the distance are blurred. This is the result of the visual image being focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it. It may be caused from the eyeball being too long from front to back, or from the lens power being too strong. Nearsightedness often develops in the school-aged child and through the early 20s after which it usually stabilizes. Until that time, it may develop rapidly and require frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses. It affects males and females equally, and family history of nearsightedness is a risk factor.
Prevention There is no known prevention.
Symptoms Blurred vision of distant objects squinting eyestrain headaches
Signs & Tests A general eye examination or standard ophthalmic exam may include: visual acuity refraction test color blindness muscle integrity tests slit-lamp exam retinal examination
Treatment Nearsightedness is easily compensated by the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure that may improve or correct nearsightedness in some people
Expectations (Prognosis) If nearsightedness is not detected and treated early, it can have social, emotional, and educational consequences for a child.
Complications complications associated with the use of contact lenses (possible corneal ulcers and infections) complications of radial keratotomy, including failure of the surgery to correct the vision, pain, and corneal ulcers and infections
Calling your doctor/health care provider Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if your child seems to be having a vision problem: sitting close to television, holding books very close when reading, or seeming to be unaware of distant objects. Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if your child is having difficulties at school that may be caused by a vision problem. Also call if you have nearsightedness and vision becomes worse.