Myopia

Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness is a condition in which a person sees objects more clearly at near than at distance. Distant objects appear blurry because the eye is longer than normal; therefore light rays are focused anterior or in front of the retina.

Myopia is often inherited. It usually begins at 7-10 years of age and progresses as the body grows and the eye lengthens until stabilization at the end of the second decade (18-20 years of age) when the patient is done growing.

New prescription eyeglasses may become necessary quite often, sometimes every six months. The need for a new eyeglass prescription is determined by the visual needs of the young patient, which varies from child to child.

Wearing prescription eyeglasses does not slow down the progression of myopia. Failure to wear the glasses will not harm the patient. The purpose of the eyeglasses is to help the patient see normally.

Myopic patients are the best candidates for contact lenses. Children as well as adults can successfully wear contact lenses. Age in of itself is not a barrier to successful wearing of contact lenses. The most important factors are responsibility and motivation.