Myopia
Also known as: Nearsightedness, Short-sightedness
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a common vision condition in which distant objects look blurry while close objects remain clear. It happens when the eyeball grows slightly too long or the cornea is too curved, so light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. Myopia usually begins in childhood and tends to progress until the eye stops growing in the late teens or early twenties. It is easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but rates have risen sharply worldwide, and high myopia raises the lifetime risk of serious eye problems such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular changes. For that reason, slowing progression in children has become a focus of modern eye care.
At a Glance
- Common symptoms
- Blurry distant vision, such as road signs, whiteboards, or faces across a room, Squinting or partially closing the eyes to see clearly, Headaches from eye strain
- Main treatments
- Prescription glasses, updated as the prescription changes, Contact lenses, including soft, rigid, or daily disposable types, Refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) or implantable lenses for adults with stable prescriptions
- Category
- Eye & Ear · Very common and rising worldwide; affects a large proportion of children and young adults, especially in East Asia
- See a doctor if
- Your child squints, sits close to screens, or struggles to see the board at school
Symptoms
Causes
- An eyeball that is longer than normal from front to back
- A cornea that is too steeply curved
- Genetics: myopia runs strongly in families
- Prolonged close-up work and screen time during childhood
- Limited time spent outdoors in natural daylight while the eyes are developing
Risk Factors
- One or both parents with myopia
- Long hours of reading, studying, or screen use, especially at a young age
- Low levels of outdoor activity in childhood
- East Asian ancestry, where rates are particularly high
- Early onset: children who become myopic before age 8 tend to progress furthest
Diagnosis
- Visual acuity test using an eye chart
- Refraction test to measure the exact prescription needed
- Eye drops to relax focusing (cycloplegic refraction) in children for an accurate measurement
- Measurement of eye length in children being monitored for progression
- Dilated examination of the retina in high myopia
Treatment
- Prescription glasses, updated as the prescription changes
- Contact lenses, including soft, rigid, or daily disposable types
- Refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) or implantable lenses for adults with stable prescriptions
- Myopia-control options for children: low-dose atropine drops, orthokeratology lenses worn overnight, or special multifocal lenses
- Regular eye exams to monitor progression and retinal health
- Supportive: more outdoor time for children and regular breaks from close work (the 20-20-20 rule)
Prevention
- Encourage children to spend at least 1 to 2 hours a day outdoors in daylight
- Limit prolonged close-up screen time and take frequent breaks
- Keep reading material and screens at least 30 cm from the eyes
- Ensure good lighting for reading and homework
- Arrange regular eye exams for children, especially if parents are myopic
When to See a Doctor
- Your child squints, sits close to screens, or struggles to see the board at school
- Distance vision has become noticeably blurrier
- Sudden flashes, a shower of floaters, or a shadow in your vision (possible retinal detachment, an emergency)
- Eye pain, redness, or sudden vision loss
- It has been more than two years since your last eye exam
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conditions
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