Monnett Eye & Optical Center

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is inherited and is often discovered in childhood. Myopia is a refractive error, which results from a disorder rather than from disease. A refractive error means that the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in a blurred image.

Light focuses in front of the retina causing blurry distance vision
Myopia is a very common condition and is estimated to affect 30 percent of the U.S. population. Myopia often progesses throughout the pre-teenage and teenage years, when the body is growing rapidly. It often stabilizes during adulthood. Myopia is the most common vision problem worldwide.

Diagnosing myopia:
Many times, myopia is diagnosed during school screenings. Sometimes parents notice that their children are having difficulty seeing street signs or the television. Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether your eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. Your eye doctor will also check your eye coordination and muscle control, as well as your eyes' ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how your eyes see.

Symptoms of Myopia:
  • Blurred Distance Vision
  • Difficulty seeing distant objects


Treatment of myopia:
Myopia is commonly treated using corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive surgery can also be used to correct myopia.

Other types of refractive errors include: Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Presbyopia.