Myopia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Myopia
Synonyms	Nearsightedness, short-sightedness
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Blurry vision when looking at distant objects, headache, eye strain
Complications	Retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts
Onset	Typically in childhood
Duration	Long term
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetics, environmental factors
Risks	Family history, prolonged near work, lack of outdoor activity
Diagnosis	Eye examination
Differential diagnosis	Hyperopia, astigmatism
Prevention	Outdoor activity, regular eye exams
Treatment	Glasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Affects approximately 1.5 billion people globally
Deaths	N/A

Myopia (Near-sightedness)

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Representation of a myopic eye

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Diagram illustrating the concept of near-sightedness

Also known as	Near-sightedness, Short-sightedness
Condition	Refractive error of the eye
Cause	Shape of lens, length of eye
Treatment	Glasses, Contact lenses, Surgery

Introduction

Myopia, popularly referred to as near-sightedness or short-sightedness, is a prevalent refractive error in the eye. This condition interferes with the eye's focusing ability, particularly on distant objects.

Forms of eye - normal, short and far-sighted

Causes

Myopia occurs due to either:

• A too curved lens inside the eye.
• An elongated eye structure.

Because of these variations, light entering the eye doesn't focus directly on the retina. Instead, it focuses in front of the retina, leading to a blurred vision for distant objects.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Individuals suffering from myopia often exhibit:

• Blurry vision when looking at distant objects.
• The tendency to squint when viewing television or during attempts to discern far-off objects.
• In some instances, sudden onset of myopia can signal the initial symptom of Type II Diabetes.

Treatment

There are multiple methods to rectify myopia:

• Optical aids: Includes wearing glasses with lenses designed to correct the refractive error.
• Contact lenses: Thin lenses placed directly on the eye's surface to provide clear vision.
• Surgery: Procedures like LASIK can reshape the cornea to correct myopia.

Summary

With the right intervention, be it optical aids or surgical procedures, myopia can be effectively managed. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent potential complications and enhance the quality of vision.