Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the inability to see objects at a distance clearly. Myopia usually develops in childhood and may progress into the early adult years. Risk factors for the development of myopia include a family history of nearsightedness, visual stress from close work, or using a computer.

Nearsightedness in Adults

Nearsightedness that develops in adulthood is more likely to be the result of visual stress and may be related to eye focusing or eye coordination problems. For example, the visual stress caused by hours of daily reading and/or close work required by higher education, professional schools, or certain occupations can induce nearsightedness in some adults.

Nearsightedness in Children

Nearsighted children often are not aware that they are not seeing as well as they should. They think that everyone sees the world just as they do. Vision problems may not become evident until they begin to have difficulty seeing the board in school or do poorly in sports.

Good Visual Habits Can Prevent or Reduce Nearsightedness

Good visual hygiene, including reading with good posture, using good lighting, and taking frequent short breaks during reading or any other close activity, are considered to be helpful in preventing or reducing the progression of myopia, particularly in children.

Treatment of Nearsightedness

Treatment of myopia generally includes the use of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to restore clear distance vision. In some cases, with either children or adults, special single focus or bifocal lenses are recommended to help reduce visual stress from close activities and prevent or slow the progression of nearsightedness. In some cases, problems with eye focusing, eye coordination, or visual function can contribute to the development or progression of nearsightedness. In such cases, a program of Vision Therapy can be used to slow the progression or reduce the severity of nearsightedness. Vision Therapy is used to treat both children and adults. For adults, a number of laser and other surgical procedures are also available to reduce reliance on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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