Myopia or nearsightedness is a condition that allows people to see close objects clearly, but objects that are at a distance appear blurred. This condition is not an eye disease, but a condition caused by a refractive error – that is when the eye doesn’t bend light the way it is supposed to. Myopic patients have a longer ocular axis in which light rays come into focus in front of the retina. Because of improper light focus, images do not appear clear.
Myopia can be inherited. If one of your parents suffer from myopia, there are chances that you could by myopic as well. The condition is most often discovered in children between 8 and 12 years of age. Myopia can occur in adults as well. Around 25% of Americans suffer from this condition.
People suffering from myopia have difficulty seeing things that are at a distance such as road signs, television, and even hoarding boards. Blurry vision, eye strain, squinting, and headaches are all commonly experienced with myopia if it is left untreated.
