Myopia, commonly referred to as short- or near-sightedness, is one of the most prevalent refractive vision conditions, especially among children and young adults. The term is derived from the Greek word muopia, meaning “to close the eyes.” This reflects the tendency of those with myopia to squint in order to see more clearly at a distance.
What is Myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eye’s shape causes light rays from distant objects to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurred distance vision, while near vision often remains clear. It is typically corrected with minus power (concave) lenses, either in the form of spectacles, contact lenses, or via corneal reshaping procedures that reduce the eye’s refractive power.
Causes and Refractive Nature
Medically, myopia is the refractive condition where the conjugate focus of the retina lies in front of the eye when no accommodation (focusing effort) is occurring. Essentially, even when the eye is relaxed, parallel light rays from faraway objects are brought to focus before reaching the retina, leading to a blurred image.
Signs and Symptoms of Myopia
The most common and noticeable symptom is blurred distance vision. Depending on the type of myopia, this blur may be consistent or vary depending on lighting conditions:
- Simple and Degenerative Myopia: Constant distance blur
- Nocturnal Myopia: Distance vision is only blurred in low-light or dark environments
Children are often unaware they have myopia until they compare their vision to others—like struggling to read a chalkboard in class. In some cases, reduced vision is only detected during school screenings or routine eye exams.
How Myopia is Detected
Myopia is typically identified when a person has:
- Reduced unaided distance vision
- Normal or better unaided near vision
It can be diagnosed using tools and procedures such as:
- Visual acuity testing
- Retinoscopy
- Autorefraction
- Photorefraction
These may be conducted during vision screenings or clinical eye exams.
Can Myopia Be Prevented?
While there is no universally accepted prevention method, some eye care professionals believe nearpoint vision stress (excessive near work) may contribute to the development of simple myopia.
Preventive or early-stage strategies may include:
- Plus power reading lenses (in single-vision or bifocal form)
- Vision therapy to address accommodative or vergence issues
- Routine eye check-ups, especially during school-age development
Ongoing research is being conducted to better understand the risk factors and potential interventions for managing early-stage myopia.
Myopia Treatment and Control
The primary goal in treating myopia is to achieve clear, comfortable, and efficient vision while maintaining overall eye health. For most patients with low to moderate myopia, the main symptom—blurred distance vision—is effectively corrected using optical aids.
Treatment Options Include:
- Spectacles with concave lenses
- Contact lenses suited to the individual’s eye shape, comfort, and lifestyle
- Myopia control strategies, such as specialised lenses or therapeutic options aimed at slowing progression
The choice between glasses and contact lenses depends on several factors, including age, motivation, compliance, corneal health, and budget.
It is the role of your optometrist to provide personalised advice and guide you in selecting the best vision correction option for your lifestyle and visual needs.
At Davida van der Merwe Optometrist, we are here to help you understand and manage your vision with expert care, especially when it comes to myopia in children and adults. Book an appointment today to ensure your eyes are seeing clearly and comfortably, both now and in the future.
