Myopia is a common refractive error, also known as nearsightedness. Nearsighted people see things best when they are close up but have trouble seeing things that are farther away. Myopia occurs when light entering the eye comes into focus in front of the retina instead of precisely on the retina. This can be caused by a cornea that is too steeply curved, by an eye that is too long, or by a combination of both problems. People with mild to moderate myopia can see things close-up, but people with severe myopia may only be able to see objects clearly when they are just a few inches away.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, can be diagnosed easily by your eye care professional. Treatments for myopia are designed to change the way that light rays are bent when they enter the eye so that they come into a point of focus precisely on the retina. These treatments may include prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses that compensate for the eye’s inability to focus. Another treatment option is refractive surgery, where the cornea is reshaped to change the way it bends entering light rays. Myopia can also be treated by implanting a prescription lens inside the eye where it works with the rest of the eye’s natural focusing system to refocus light rays precisely on the retina. When myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry, any of these treatments can restore clear vision, making daily activities much easier.
