Myopia is a very common defect affecting approximately one in five adults. It often commences in early teenage years and stabilises at around 20 years of age. Without their spectacles, short-sighted people are able to see near objects clearly if held at the appropriate distance, but usually objects beyond arms length are “blurred” or “out of focus”. Spectacles or contact lenses are used to correct myopia. People with moderate to high levels of myopia are unable to see anything clearly without their glasses. If you wear myopic spectacles then by holding them a few inches away from a printed page you will note that they make everything seem smaller.
The amount of myopia increases with age, particularly as the length of the eye increases during puberty, when growth is maximum.
Anatomical causes of myopia include having a steep cornea, a long eyeball and a powerful natural lens. This results in light focusing in front of, not on, the retina.
Regular close-up reading can influence the development of myopia.
Diabetes and some types of cataract can also be associated with development of myopia.
With Myopia distant objects appear blurred or out of focus.
