Find a Provider
From well-child visits to specialized treatment of complex illnesses and injuries, we offer comprehensive care from an exceptional team of doctors, nurses and allied professionals.
- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Myopia
Also called: Nearsightedness; Shortsightedness
Myopia (my-OH-pee-uh) is nearsightedness, a common condition in which someone can see things that are close clearly, but things that are farther away appear blurry.
More to Know
Myopia is a type of refractive error. This means the problem is caused by the way the eye bends, or refracts, light as it passes through the eye's cornea and lens. Normally, the cornea (the clear front of the eye) and lens (a small structure in the eye that can change shape) work together to take in images and focus them on the retina, the soft, light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eyeball wall. When someone has myopia, the lens focuses the image in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Myopia can happen if the eye is too long or if the cornea has too much curve to it. This may be related to a person's genes or it may be caused environmental conditions, such as a job that involves a lot of reading off of computer screens.
Myopia can cause blurred vision, squinting, eyestrain, and headaches. It also can make things like driving more dangerous when road signs are hard to read. Myopia can affect people of any age, but it's most commonly diagnosed in adolescents during and after puberty.
Myopia is diagnosed through an eye exam. Mild myopia may not need treatment. People with moderate to severe cases may need to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision. For some adults, laser eye surgery can correct myopia permanently by changing the shape of the cornea.
Keep in Mind
Myopia doesn't cause any pain, but it can have a negative effect on a child's quality of life if not corrected. If your child has trouble seeing things or seems to do a lot of squinting, talk to a doctor and schedule an eye exam. Most cases of myopia can be easily corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.