Myopia: What is short-sightedness?

Myopia is also known as near-sightedness or short-sightedness. It is the inability to see objects clearly unless they are relatively close to your eyes. Myopia is the most common refractive error among children and young adults.

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. If the cornea or lens are too curved, this can also cause myopia. Rarely, myopia can occur if the distance between the cornea and the lens inside the eye is too short.

Distant objects and driving vision are blurry for people who have myopia, but nearby objects tend to be clearer. As the light falls "short" of the retina that's is why the condition is called short-sightedness.

Myopia typically starts to develop during childhood and can progress gradually or rapidly. The most common symptoms of myopia are: 

• Blurred distance vision

• Squinting to see clearly

• Eye strain

• Headaches

It is very important to slow myopia progression before it becomes high myopia. High myopia is the medical term for severe myopia. This degree of myopia can lead to serious eye-health issues, including blindness.

Short-sightedness is the most common distance vision problem. Currently, about 2.6 billion people worldwide are myopic. 

Myopia is most prevalent in the countries of Asia-Pacific. In those countries, just over half the population is short-sighted. Next is East Asia, where 51.6 percent of the residents are affected.

The rate of myopia worldwide is increasing rapidly. It's estimated that by the year 2050, roughly half of the world population will be short-sighted.

Researchers aren't sure why myopia is becoming so common, but optometrists say that modern lifestyle is also a factor, this include less time spent outdoors and more time spent on close-up work. 

Close-up work includes things like: 

• Reading

• Using computers

• Using portable electronic devices (like tablets and smartphones)  

Myopia also tends to run in families. The chance of developing myopia is greater when both parents have myopia. Researchers have discovered at least 200 genetic risk factors for myopia and refractive error.

Myopia can be corrected with standard prescription glasses or contact lenses. These corrective lenses refocus light on the retina. You can also purchase prescription photochromic lenses or sunglasses to correct myopia. 

Specialised myopia control glasses are also available that can slow myopia progression. 

Once short-sighted children become young adults, their vision usually stabilises. At that point, myopia can be permanently corrected with refractive surgery. LASIK is the most popular surgical procedure to correct short-sightedness.

If you or your children have symptoms of myopia, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist near you.

SEE RELATED: Bilateral myopia

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Amber McManes also contributed to this article.

Page published on Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Page updated on Friday, 11 August 2023

Medically reviewed on Thursday, 20 January 2022