Nearsightedness Explained: What Is It, and How Does It Affect Your Vision?

Nearsightedness Explained: What Is It, and How Does It Affect Your Vision?

Nearsightedness or myopia is the most common eye condition worldwide, and the numbers are rising. Studies report that the most significant number of people affected are school-going children. From these statistics, many eye doctors and researchers anticipate that half the world will be myopic by 2050.

What Is Nearsightedness?

Nearsightedness is a refractive visual error that affects distance vision. A refractive error is a condition that changes the way light refracts into the eye. Myopia alters the eye's structure in two ways: the eyeball's length and the cornea's curvature. The eyeball begins to elongate during the condition's onset, and the cornea bulges after. As you age, the changes continue growing in a process called myopia progression.

Usually, you can correct the refractive error using corrective eyewear like eyeglasses and lenses. Myopia progression is dangerous to the future of your child's vision, especially if it is uncontrolled. It could develop into more severe forms like:

High Myopia

This is high-degree myopia that is inherited and is also very rare. It occurs when the eyeball elongates and the cornea becomes exceedingly steep. Eye doctors consider nearsightedness as high myopia once the error exceeds -6. The condition can worsen, especially without management, and it will only stop progressing between 20 and 30 years.

Degenerative Myopia

Like high myopia, this condition also develops in early childhood and progresses with age. However, it is much more severe because it negatively impacts the retina and is a prevalent cause of legal blindness.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness affects your vision in the following ways:
 

• Objects become blurry the farther they are from your face

• Partially closing your eyes or squinting to see clearly

• Eye fatigue or strain, especially at the end of the day

• Headaches

Children may experience these same symptoms but may not realize something is wrong. Because of this, they will usually not express their trouble to their parents or teachers. The only way to confirm your child is struggling with vision is by observing changes in behavior. Here are the most common changes in behavior in children with the condition:
 

• Squinting persistently

• Excessive blinking

• Unawareness of objects slightly farther in the distance

• Sitting too close to the television

• Frequent rubbing of the eyes

Risk Factors for Nearsightedness

• Genetics

The most predictive factor for myopia development is if one of your parents has the condition. The chances of developing the condition are much higher if both your parents have it.
 

• Prolonged Close-up Work

Genetics alone cannot account for the increasing number of myopes. The other factor that increases the risk is extended periods of close-up work and more time indoors. Children who spend long hours indoors are more likely to develop nearsightedness.
 

• Screen Time

Another factor that is closely linked to close-up work and nearsightedness development is screen time. There are more people with the condition who usually spend a lot of time on digital screens like computers or phones.
 

For more information on nearsightedness and how it affects your vision, visit Justice Vision Clinic at our office in Duluth, Georgia. Call (770) 626-7883 to schedule your eye exam today.