What is myopia?

Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common condition in which a child can see clearly objects nearby but not objects in the distance, making them appear blurry. Myopia is caused by a bent or a curved lens or retina that doesn’t refract light properly. It is one of several refractive-error disorders, the other ones being hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

Symptoms

• Blurred vision when looking at distant objects
• Squinting
• Ablility to read a book but not read the blackboard or see images on TV
• Eyestrain
• Headaches

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is essential because a child’s academic progress can be affected by not being able to see well at a distance. Diagnosis can be made with a general eye exam, including:

• Measurement of the pressure of fluid in the eyes
• Refraction test, to determine the correct prescription for glasses
• Retinal examination
• Slit-lamp exam of the structures at the front of the eyes
• Visual acuity test to measure vision at different distances

Treatment

• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Laser surgery

When to Call for Help

If your child has any of the above symptoms, seek advice from your pediatrician.