Nearsightedness (Myopia)

A person with nearsightedness can see close objects clearly, but may have trouble seeing objects from a distance – like a road sign, blackboard, or face across the room. It’s a common condition, affecting 1 in 4 adults worldwide.

What Causes Nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness or myopia happens when the eye has a long shape, which causes light rays to focus too far in front of the retina, making distance vision difficult.

Like farsightedness, myopia can be inherited. It is often discovered when children are 8 to 12 years old. During the teenage years, when the body is growing rapidly, nearsightedness can get worse. Typically, between ages 20 and 40 there is little change.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

An eye care professional can diagnose nearsightedness with a simple eye exam. The most common symptoms of nearsightedness include:

Blurred distance vision

Frequent squinting of eyes

Eye strain or headaches from trying to focus