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Nearsightedness

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Myopia; Shortsightedness

Symptoms:

1. Blurred vision or squinting when trying to see distant objects (children often cannot read the blackboard, but can easily read a book).
2. Eyestrain.
3. Headaches (uncommon).

Signs and tests:

A general eye examination, or standard ophthalmic exam may include:

1. Visual acuity, both at a distance (Snellen), and close up (Jaeger)
2. Refraction test , to determine the correct prescription for glasses
3. Test of color vision , to test for possible color blindness
4. Tests of the muscles which move the eyes
5. Slit-lamp exam of the structures at the front of the eyes
6. Measurement of the pressure of fluid in the eyes
7. Retinal examination

• Review Date: 11/14/2005
• Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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