Myopia
Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when light entering the eye is focused before it reaches the retina either because the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature. The retina functions similar to film in a camera. If light is not perfectly focused on the retina, vision will be blurred. In the case of nearsightedness, near objects are seen clearly but distant objects are blurred.
Prevalence and Associations
Affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population
May have a hereditary component
Growing evidence that it may be caused by the stress of too much close vision work
Normally occurs first in school age children and generally develops before age 20
Symptoms Blurred distance vision
Clear near vision
Squinting
Poorer night vision
Headache not usual
Treatment
Eyeglasses
Contact Lenses
Refractive Surgery
