Myopia (Short sightedness)
Mar 04, 2025 in Eye Care
Myopia, more commonly known as short-sightedness, is a refractive error of the eyes. It causes distant objects to appear blurry, while nearer objects look clear. Myopia is quite common across the world and usually starts in childhood between the ages of 6 and 13, although it can develop later too. Due to our modern lifestyles and our increased close work and use of screens as well as reduced time outdoors, it’s predicted that myopia will increase by 50% by 2050, so it has become a growing concern. Here’s all you need to know about shortsightedness.
What is Myopia/Shortsightedness?
In a normal eye, when light rays enter through the cornea and lens, the light bends so that it focuses accurately on the retina. In the case of myopia, it is due to a combination of the curvature of the cornea, the lens in your eye, and the axial length of the eye (distance from the front of the cornea to the back of the eye). This means that light bends at a greater angle and, therefore, doesn’t focus properly on the retina. This leads to a blurry image being formed, especially while looking at distant objects. When you move closer to the object, the light bends correctly and focuses on the retina, giving you a clearer image.
Myopia can develop at any age, though it most often develops in childhood or during the teens. It can progress rapidly during the growing years, but will usually stabilise by the late twenties with only small changes in prescription as you age. The causes of myopia are not very clear, though there has been a link established between myopia and genetics. For a child with one myopic parent, the risk of developing shortsightedness is about 1.5-3 times more likely. For those with 2 myopic parents, it’s 3-6 times more likely. Reduced exposure to daylight and lack of outdoor play during childhood have also been linked to the risk of myopia. Sometimes, other conditions, such as cataracts and diabetes, can cause myopia.
Signs of shortsightedness (Myopia)
Signs of myopia appear most often in children, who may struggle to see properly at school or have difficulties reading or using computers. However, if you did not know you had myopia, you may also notice some of the following symptoms in yourself:
- Difficulty seeing things at a distance, such as reading the whiteboard at school or being able to read street signs clearly.
- Sitting too close to the TV or computer, or having to hold books or other objects close to your face.
- Frequent headaches, especially after having to focus on objects for periods of time.
- Tired eyes or rubbing your eyes a lot.
Types of Myopia
There are three contributing factors to myopia:
- The curve of the cornea
- The power of the lens
- And the axial length of the eye
To correct myopia, you will need a prescription for a minus lens to reduce the angle at which light bends while coming into the eye. In most cases, correct prescription glasses or lenses are enough, and people are not likely to have further complications. However, if the level of myopia is very high, there are risks of developing other conditions, such as a higher chance of cataracts, Glaucoma, retinal detachments and myopic macula degeneration.
Treatment of Shortsightness
Thankfully, Myopia can be easily corrected with the right glasses or contact lenses. They help to focus light on the right point in your eyes so that you can see clearly. You will need an eye test to determine your prescription before getting glasses. At Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, you can get a comprehensive eye examination as well as a complete lifestyle evaluation.
Another corrective option is surgery. There are 2 different types of corrective surgery to choose from:
- laser surgery to reshape the front of the eye.
- lens surgery to replace the lenses in your eyes with artificial lenses.
Eye surgery is generally considered effective and relatively safe, but is usually only available privately. Your surgeon will discuss the type of surgery, walk you through the process, and answer any questions you have. Younger patients might be advised to have laser corrective surgery if physically suitable, whereas older patients could consider lens replacement. There are always risks with surgery, however, these are generally low with these types of surgery. Alternatives to surgery include Otho-k lenses, which are worn overnight to correct the short-sightedness so the patient can see clearly during the day.
If you suspect you, your child, or a family member has myopia or any other issues with their eyesight, it’s important to see a professional. Book your free eye test for a comprehensive eye exam with one of our friendly and professional teams.