Myopia
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.
