Myopia

Myopia is a vision condition in which close objects are seen clearly, but distant ones appear blurred. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature; thus light is focused in front of, rather than on the retina. As a result, the light entering the eye can not be focused correctly and distant objects look blurred.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a very common vision condition affecting about 30 percent of the U.S. population. Some research supports the theory that nearsightedness is hereditary. There is also growing evidence that it is influenced by the visual stress of too much close work.

Usually, Myopia first occurs in school-age children. Because the eye continues to grow during childhood, it typically progresses until about age 20. Oculists and optometrists most commonly correct myopia through the use of corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses. But it can also be corrected by refractive surgery, such as LASIK.