Myopia

Causes: Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness. It is a condition in which objects that are up close are usually in focus and clear, but those at a distance (outside of arms’ length) appear blurred. Like hyperopia, the condition is caused when the shape of the eyeball or cornea is such that light entering the eye cannot be properly focused on the retina.

Symptoms:

• Difficulty seeing distant objects
• Lack of classroom participation due to difficulty seeing the chalkboard

Diagnosis and Treatment: Myopa is a very common problem affecting about 30 percent of Americans, and can be detected by a comprehensive eye exam. It generally develops before the age of twenty. Corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) or refractive surgery may be used in the treatment of myopia, depending on the severity of the condition and the preference of the patient.