What does nearsightedness mean?
Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. It occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.
What is nearsightedness called?
Myopia. Commonly known as nearsightedness, myopia is the opposite of hyperopia. It is a condition in which an image of a distant object becomes focused in front the retina. This happens either because the eyeball axis is too long, or because the refractive power of the eye is too strong.
What is the range for nearsightedness?
The severity of nearsightedness is often categorized like this: Mild myopia: -0.25 to -3.00 D. Moderate myopia: -3.25 to -5.00 D or -6.00 D. High myopia: greater than -5.00 D or -6.00 D.
What does it mean to be nearsighted with astigmatism?
In astigmatism, light comes into the retina at multiple focus points because of an irregular shaped cornea, which causes blurring. With astigmatism, one or both eyes can be farsighted, one or both eyes can be nearsighted, or one eye can be nearsighted while the other is farsighted.
What happens nearsightedness?
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it. A person with normal vision can see objects clearly near and faraway. Nearsightedness results in blurred vision when the visual image is focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on it.
Why do they call it nearsighted?
To be nearsighted means that you are literally “near-sighted” — you can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects look blurry. The medical term for nearsightedness is myopia.
What causes nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness is caused by a refractive error. A refractive error occurs when your eye doesn’t focus light correctly. If you’re nearsighted, your eye focuses light in front of your retina instead of onto it. This results in blurred vision.
What is the difference between astigmatism and nearsightedness?
The primary difference between these two conditions is that they are two distinctive refractive error, people with myopia will have blurred vision at long distances, while people with astigmatism will experience blurred vision at any distance.
What does it mean when you have nearsightedness?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a refractive error. Refractive error is when the eye does not bend (refract) light properly. Light does not focus correctly so images are not clear. In myopia, close objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred .
When does nearsightedness start to run in your family?
Nearsightedness (myopia) Nearsightedness may develop gradually or rapidly, often worsening during childhood and adolescence. Nearsightedness tends to run in families. A basic eye exam can confirm nearsightedness. You can compensate for the blur with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
Are there any refractive errors other than nearsightedness?
In addition to nearsightedness, other refractive errors include: Farsightedness (hyperopia). This occurs when your eyeball is shorter than normal or your cornea is curved too little. The effect is the opposite of nearsightedness. In adults, both near and distant objects are blurred.