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Myopia (nearsightedness) - Meaning, Causes, Treatment
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a condition in which the eye struggles to focus on objects at a far distance. Near distance vision will generally remain clear. Myopia is a refractive error in which light entering the eye does not focus on the retina properly. Myopia can be corrected by prescription glasses. Laser eye surgery is also an option, however, not everyone will be suitable for this procedure.
Keep reading to find out more about myopia, what the symptoms are, and how it can be treated.
What is myopia (nearsightedness)?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is an eye condition in which a person will have trouble seeing objects at a far distance, with their vision often blurry when they try to focus. Generally, near vision will remain clear unless affected by a different vision issue.
Myopia is one of the most prevalent eye conditions in the world. According to a 2016 study , it is estimated that by 2050, nearly 5 billion people will be affected by myopia.
What is night myopia (nearsightedness)?
Night myopia refers to the eye’s inability to see far objects at night time, or under low light conditions. Night myopia occurs when the eye struggles to focus the wavelengths of light that occur at night time or in dull light conditions, onto the retina.
Night myopia can affect people who already have general nearsightedness, as well as those without.
Symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness)
Blurry distance vision is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness). There are several additional symptoms that may indicate a person has myopia, listed below.
- Blurry distance vision
- Squinting to see far away objects
- Headaches
- Eye strain
- Struggling to see far away objects like street signs when driving
What causes myopia (nearsightedness)?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a refractive error in which the eye does not bend light properly, resulting in blurred images. When the light enters the eye, it goes through the cornea and lens, to focus on the retina. If someone has myopia, there is generally a problem with the cornea or the lens, for instance the eyeball may be too long or the cornea may be abnormally shaped. When light enters the eye of someone with myopia, the light will focus in front of the retina, as opposed to on the retina , causing blurred distance vision.
Source: American Optometric AssociationAre there risk factors for myopia (nearsightedness)?
Myopia (nearsightedness), is a condition that can affect all people, including adults and children. However, there are several factors that may increase the likelihood of developing myopia (nearsightedness). They are as listed below.
- Genetics: Research has found that people who have a parent that has myopia are at higher risk of developing the eye condition.
- Time spent outdoors: A lack of sunlight and time spent outdoors has been cited as a possible contributing factor towards myopia.
- Near work: People who spend extended periods of time conducting near work, such as reading or working on a computer, may be more likely to develop myopia. It is recommended that intense near work and screen time should be limited to less than 2 hours a day for school aged children.
- Age: Children who develop myopia at a young age, may be at risk for higher levels of myopia as an adult.
How is myopia diagnosed (nearsightedness)?
Myopia (nearsightedness) will be diagnosed during an eye test with an optometrist. An optometrist is trained to detect and treat a range of vision related issues including refractive errors, eye diseases such as glaucoma and even hay fever. The tests that your optometrist may use to determine if you have myopia are listed below.
- Visual acuity test: This test will measure how sharp and clear your vision is at different distances. This is often done using an eye chart with letters descending in size.
- Near and Binocular vision testing:This test assesses numerous visual functioning and perceptual skills including but not exclusive to; Accommodation (eye focusing skills), Vergence (eye teaming), Ocular Motility (eye movements) and Depth Perception (3D vision).
- Refraction test: This test assesses what prescription a person will need to correct any potential vision issues.
If you think you may have myopia, our optometrists here at Oscar Wylee are happy to conduct an eye test to assess your vision. Find your nearest store on our locator page and come in and see the team!
Treatment for myopia (nearsightedness)
Myopia (nearsightedness) can not be fully cured, with treatment instead aiming to correct this refractive issue and slow the progression of symptoms. The most common treatment for myopia includes corrective lenses and laser eye surgery, both designed to help the light entering the eye focus on the retina.
The lenses to correct myopia will be concave in shape, helping the light that enters the eye to focus on the retina. The pros of corrective lenses for myopia are their convenience. All a person needs to do is book in for an eye test, and an optometrist will give you a prescription for a pair of glasses that can help manage the symptoms of myopia. The con of corrective lenses for myopia is that once you take your glasses off, your vision issues will remain.
Laser eye surgery, the most commonly known procedure being LASIK, is another treatment option for myopia. This surgery aims to reshape the structure of the eye and help the light entering to focus where it is supposed to. The pros of laser eye surgery include a reduction in myopia symptoms such as blurred far vision, which also means a person will not be so dependent on corrective glasses. The main con of laser eye surgery is that not everyone will be eligible to receive this surgery. Patients who have had this surgery may also suffer from increased dry eye symptoms and halos around lights, especially when driving at night.
NOTE: Oscar Wylee does not provide laser eye surgery.
Can myopia (nearsightedness) be cured naturally?
As myopia (nearsightedness) is caused by a structural problem within the eye, there is no natural cure or home remedy that will correct this vision issue. The appropriate treatment for myopia is corrective glasses or a procedure such as laser eye surgery. If you are concerned about myopia and want advice regarding treatment, come in and see one of our optometrists at Oscar Wylee.
How can I prevent myopia (nearsightedness)?
You can not generally prevent myopia (nearsightedness) from occurring. However, there are steps you can take to maintain good eye health, help prevent onset and slow the progression of myopia.
- Eye tests: Make sure you keep up with your regular eye tests, so an optometrist can monitor the progression of myopia and give advice on treatment.
- Get outside: A lack of sunlight and time outdoors has been theorized as a contributing factor for myopia development. It is important to spend some time outside with natural light. Make sure to bring your sunnies!
- Take breaks from doing near work: It is important to rest your eyes when engaging in extended periods of near work including screen time to avoid eye strain.
- Stick to a healthy lifestyle: Eating well, resting, exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may also help slow the progression of myopia.
Myopia (nearsightedness) vs Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Myopia and hyperopia are two eye conditions often spoken about together, as they are similar in nature. Both myopia and hyperopia are caused by refractive errors that cause light to focus on the wrong area of the retina. Myopia is caused when light focuses before the retina, leading to far vision issues. With hyperopia on the other hand, the light focuses behind the retina, causing issues with near vision.
You can not have myopia and hyperopia in the same eye at the same time. If myopia is severe enough, it may affect near vision, but this does not necessarily mean you have hyperopia. Hyperopia is not to be confused with presbyopia, an age related condition in which the eye loses the ability to focus on close by objects.
Myopia in children (nearsightedness)
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition that affects children as well as adults. Myopia is often diagnosed in school aged children and can continue into adulthood. However, if diagnosed early, treatment may be able to help slow the progression of myopia, so it does not affect a child’s sight severely in adulthood.
Risk factors for children developing myopia include a parent with myopia. A child with one parent who has myopia, may be up to 2 times more likely to develop myopia. A child with two myopic parents can be up to 5 times more likely to develop myopia. Another risk factor for myopia in kids is a lack of time spent outdoors, in natural sunlight.
The symptoms of myopia in children are the same as those in adults, with added factors to look out for, as listed below.
- Trouble seeing the white/blackboard at school.
- Needing to sit at the front of a classroom.
- Squinting to see far objects.
- Needing to sit close to a television to see clearly.
It is important to get your child’s eyes tested if you think they may have myopia so the condition can be managed.
Not all optometrists will perform eye tests on children. It is important to check with your optometrist before making any appointments.
Myopia (nearsightedness) complications
People with high levels of myopia (nearsightedness) may be at an increased risk of developing further vision issues and health conditions, due to this refractive error. Some of the potential vision issues are listed below.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases, caused when the optic nerve is damaged. One of the main symptoms of glaucoma is vision loss. Myopia may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Cataracts: Cataracts refers to the clouding of the eye’s lens. This causes blurred vision and can impact quality of life. People with myopia may be at a higher risk of developing cataracts at an earlier age than those without.
- Retinal damage: Myopia can cause damage to the retina, including tears and retinal detachment, which may cause vision loss.
- Macular degeneration: Is an eye disease in which the macular is damaged, causing central vision loss. Those with myopia may be at a higher risk of developing macular degeneration.
It is important that you maintain your eye test appointments with your optometrist so myopia can be monitored and treated appropriately.
How do I know if I have myopia (nearsightedness)?
If you think you may have myopia (nearsightedness), you should book in to have an eye test with an optometrist. During an eye test, your optometrist will be able to examine your eyes and determine if you have this condition.
