The term "myopia" comes from the Greek word meaning "closed eyes". Squinting to see distant objects clearly is one of the main indications of nearsightedness. If you are nearsighted, you can focus well on nearby objects, but you cannot focus as well on objects at a distance.

WHAT CAUSES NEARSIGHTEDNESS?

Myopia occurs either because the eyeball is too long, rather than the normal, ore rounded shape, or the cornea has too steep a degree of crvature. Myopia is not a disease, nor does it mean that you have "bad eyes". It simply means that you have a normal variation in the shape of your eyeball. The degree of variation determines whether or not you will need corrective eyewear.

HOW DOES MYOPIA AFFECT SIGHT?

To fullly understand why myopia causes a disturbance in sight, it is helpful to understand the process by which sight occurs. If an individual is nearsighted, the unusually long shpae of the eyeball causes light rays from a distant point to be focused at a place in front of the retina. Instead of the image being focused into a fine point, it is more like a small circle of light. Concave lenses are used to bend light rays more precisely (to a point) and to focus them exactly on the correct area of the retina known as the fovea.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY MYOPIA?

Myopia usually begins between the ages of 8 and 12 years and nearly always before the age of 20. Often the degree of myopia increases as the body grows rapidly, then levels off in adulthood. During the years of rapid growth, frequent changes in prescription eyewear may be needed to maintain clear vision.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MYOPIA?

The inability to see distant objects is the main symptom of myopia. This includes the inability to see road signs, scoreboards, and television screens. It is frequently the teacher who may notice that a child is squinting to see the blackboard or is having difficulties seeing distant objects.

HOW IS MYOPIA DIAGNOSED?

As mentioned, myopia is often suspected when a child performs poorly during the routine eye screening at school. Further examination of the child's eyes will reveal the degree of the problem. A comprehensive eye health examination will detect myopia. Periodic examinations after myopia has been discovered indicate whether or not a change in prescriptive eyewear is needed. Eye exams also help to ensure that vision impairments do not interfere with daily activities.

HOW IS MYOPIA TREATED?

As with other refractive errors, corrective lenses are prescribed to help focus light more effectively on the retina. Depending on the degree of myopia, glasses may be needed all of the time for clear vision. If the degree if impairment is slight, glasses may be needed only for activities that require distant vision, such as driving or watching TV. Contact lenses are also an excellent option for myopic patients and should be discussed with your eye doctor.

THE MYOPIC CHILD

It is important to consider the psychological aspects of eye problems in children. The following tips may be helpful:

• Avoid referring to the child's eyes as "bad eyes". Instead tell the child that they just bend light differently and corrective lenses are needed to help focus light rays.
• Letting the child verbalize concerns may also help adjustment to rapidly changing vision.
• Using illustrations and simple explanations help the child understand how a differently shaped eyeball may result in a refractive error.
• Make the occasion of selecting new frames for lenses a fun time!
• Consider contant lenses as a viable option for all myopic patients.
• Do not restrict the child's activities because of poor vision.
• Include the child in discussions about his or her eyesight.

School age childrenn may have vision problems ranging from mild to severe. When problems are suspected, it is important that the child have a comprehensive eye health examination to determine the nature of the problem and to rule out serious eye diseases. The child will enjoy the best possible sight when vision conditions are treated properly.

Information about Myopia is copyrighted by HMI Practice Resource