Myopia (Nearsightedness): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision problems. If you have myopia, you may be able to see objects up close clearly but have trouble seeing things in the distance. Road signs, classroom boards, television screens, or faces across a room may appear blurry.
Myopia can develop during childhood and may continue to change through the teenage years and early adulthood. For some people, it remains mild. Others develop high myopia, which can increase the risk of certain eye complications.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for myopia can help you protect your vision and make informed decisions about your eye care.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects may remain clear.
Normally, light entering the eye focuses directly on the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. With myopia, the eye may be longer than usual, or the cornea may have too much focusing power. As a result, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
The result is blurry distance vision.
Myopia can range from mild to severe. The stronger the prescription, the more difficult it may be to see distant objects clearly without glasses or contact lenses.
What Are the Symptoms of Myopia?
The most noticeable symptom of myopia is blurry distance vision. However, other symptoms can occur, especially when myopia is not corrected.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Blurry vision when looking at distant objects
- Difficulty reading signs from a distance
- Squinting to see more clearly
- Frequent headaches
- Eye strain or tired eyes
- Difficulty seeing clearly while driving
- Trouble seeing a television or presentation screen
- Sitting closer to the television or classroom board
- Blurry vision at night
- Frequently rubbing the eyes
Children may not always realize that their vision is blurry. They may simply assume that everyone sees the same way.
Parents and teachers should pay attention if a child frequently squints, moves closer to screens, has trouble seeing the board, or struggles with schoolwork that requires distance vision.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia can develop because of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetics
Having one or more parents with myopia may increase a child's likelihood of developing it. Myopia can run in families, although having a family history does not guarantee that a child will develop it.
Eye Growth
In many people with myopia, the eye grows longer from front to back. This changes where light focuses inside the eye and causes distant images to appear blurry.
Near Work
Spending long periods focusing on nearby objects, such as books, phones, tablets, or computers, may be associated with myopia, particularly in children. Researchers continue to study how near work and other environmental factors influence myopia development and progression.
Limited Time Outdoors
Research has also found an association between spending more time outdoors and a lower risk of developing myopia in children. Encouraging children to spend regular time outside can be part of a healthy approach to eye care.
Who Is Most Likely to Develop Myopia?
Myopia can affect people of all ages, but it commonly develops during childhood.
Risk factors may include:
- Having parents with myopia
- Developing myopia at a young age
- Spending significant amounts of time doing close-up activities
- Spending limited time outdoors
- Having certain underlying eye conditions
Children with a family history of myopia may benefit from regular comprehensive eye examinations so changes in their vision can be detected early.
How Is Myopia Diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye examination can determine whether you have myopia and identify your prescription.
During an eye exam, your eye care professional may evaluate your visual acuity and perform tests to determine how your eyes focus light. Your prescription can then be measured to determine whether glasses or contact lenses may improve your vision.
For children, regular eye exams are particularly important because they may not recognize or communicate that their vision has changed.
If you notice new or worsening blurry distance vision, scheduling an eye examination is an important first step.
How Is Myopia Treated?
Myopia cannot usually be corrected simply by exercising the eyes or changing your diet. However, several options can improve vision or, in some cases, help manage myopia progression.
Glasses
Prescription eyeglasses are one of the simplest and most common ways to correct myopia. They bend incoming light so that images can focus correctly on the retina.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eye and can provide clear vision without glasses. They may be an option for people who prefer them for sports, work, or everyday activities.
Myopia Management for Children
For children whose myopia is progressing, an eye care professional may discuss strategies designed to slow progression.
The appropriate approach depends on the child's age, prescription, eye health, and rate of progression.
Parents should speak with an eye care professional if their child's prescription is changing frequently.
LASIK
For eligible adults, LASIK can reshape the cornea to correct certain refractive errors, including myopia.
LASIK may reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses, but not everyone is a candidate. A comprehensive evaluation is needed to determine whether LASIK is appropriate based on factors such as prescription stability, corneal health, eye health, and other individual considerations.
If you're considering LASIK for nearsightedness, a consultation can help determine which vision-correction options may be appropriate for you.
EVO ICL
For some adults with higher prescriptions or other factors that may make corneal laser surgery less suitable, an implantable lens procedure such as EVO ICL may be an option.
EVO ICL uses an implantable lens placed inside the eye to correct vision. Like LASIK, candidacy depends on an individual's prescription, eye health, anatomy, and other factors.
Your eye doctor can help you compare these options based on your specific needs.
Can Myopia Get Worse?
Yes. Myopia can progress, particularly during childhood and adolescence.
A child's prescription may become stronger as the eye continues to grow. This is why regular eye examinations are important for children with myopia.
Progressive or high myopia deserves particular attention because stronger prescriptions may be associated with an increased risk of certain eye conditions later in life.
If your child's vision seems to be changing frequently, talk with an eye care professional about monitoring and managing their myopia.
What Is High Myopia?
High myopia refers to a more severe degree of nearsightedness.
People with high myopia may have a greater risk of certain eye problems because the eye can become longer than normal. These may include retinal problems and other complications affecting the health of the eye.
Having high myopia does not mean that you will develop these conditions. However, regular comprehensive eye examinations are important for monitoring overall eye health.
Can Myopia Be Prevented?
Not every case of myopia can be prevented, particularly when genetics play a role. However, healthy habits may help support children's eye health.
Parents can encourage children to:
- Spend regular time outdoors
- Take breaks during prolonged close-up activities
- Follow healthy screen-use habits
- Maintain regular comprehensive eye exams
- Tell an adult if they notice changes in their vision
These habits are not a guarantee against myopia, but they can be part of a broader approach to maintaining healthy vision.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
You should schedule an eye examination if you notice:
- New or worsening blurry distance vision
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Difficulty seeing while driving
- Problems reading signs or screens from a distance
- A child's school performance changing unexpectedly
- Frequent squinting
- Rapid changes in an existing prescription
Sudden vision changes, flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, or a curtain-like shadow across your vision require prompt medical attention.
Find Myopia and Vision Care at MiVision Eye Care
Myopia is common, but blurry vision should not simply be something you learn to live with. An eye examination can determine whether myopia is affecting your vision and help identify the most appropriate correction or treatment options.
At MiVision Eye Care, our team provides comprehensive eye care and personalized vision solutions for patients in Saginaw and surrounding communities. Whether you need updated glasses or contact lenses or are interested in options such as LASIK or EVO ICL, we can help you understand your choices based on your individual eye health and vision needs.
Ready to learn more about your vision? Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with MiVision Eye Care today.