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Nearsightedness

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
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