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Nearsightedness

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Myopia; Shortsightedness

Treatment:

Nearsightedness is easily compensated for by the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses, which shift the focus point to the retina. There are several surgical procedures that reshape the cornea, shifting the focus point from in front of the retina to the retina.

Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure popular in the recent past. Now it has been almost completely replaced by LASIK , in which an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early diagnosis of nearsightedness is important, because a child can suffer socially and educationally by not being able to see well at a distance.

Complications:

1. Complications may be associated with the use of contact lenses ( corneal ulcers and infections )
2. Complications of laser vision correction are uncommon, but can be serious
3. Although it is rare, people with myopia may develop retinal detachments or retinal degeneration

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if your child shows these signs, which may indicate a vision problem: sitting close to television, holding books very close when reading, or having difficulty reading the blackboard in school or signs on a wall.

Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if your child is having difficulties at school that may be caused by a vision problem.

Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if a person with nearsightedness experiences flashing lights, floating spots, or a sudden loss of any part of the field of vision.

• 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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