Myopia

What is nearsightedness?

Can you easily read things up close, like books and newspapers, but have difficulty reading signs in the distance? If so, you may have a very common condition called myopia or nearsightedness.

Myopia occurs when the length of the eyeball (from front to back) is greater than average, when the cornea is too curved, or the lens has a higher than average optical power, or a combination of all three. This causes the light that enters the eye to focus in front of, instead of directly on to, the retina.

People with myopia need corrective lenses to help properly focus light onto the retina in order to see clearly at all distances. Myopia can worsen over time, particularly during childhood. Increasing myopia can also make you more likely to develop potential sight‑threatening conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Myopia has the potential to become the most common cause of irreversible visual impairment and vision loss worldwide, with half of the world’s population predicted to have myopia by the year 2050.¹ It's vital for young people aged from 6 months to early 20s to have regular eye exams to make sure it can be prevented, detected, and managed.

Symptoms

Symptoms of myopia may include:

Headaches
Tired eyes
Blurred vision

Common causes

Some factors that play a role in the increase in myopia in children across the world include genetics, birth circumstances, ethnicity, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Decreased time spent outdoors, increased time spent on near work, increased digital screen time, low birth weight, and work conducted in dimly lit settings are some examples of the above factors.

The younger the age of myopia onset, the higher the risk of increased levels of myopia, and therefore the higher the risk of eye disease and visual impairment. There are some habitual lifestyle changes that can help to slow down myopia progression, such as increased time spent outdoors, reduced screen time, and use of good lighting during near work. But in many cases, more intervention is needed to control the myopia.

Treatment

Myopia can be corrected with corrective lenses, such as glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Myopia management in children

It has now become a global public health concern, with international health bodies like the World Health Organization carrying out myopia management research and implementation and looking into how myopia control interventions can help children.

Some of these interventions can include using medications, specialty glasses and contact lenses, or a combination, or glasses lenses designed to minimize how myopia progresses during childhood. Your optometrist might recommend either:

MiSight® 1 day by CooperVision

Specially‑designed myopia management daily‑disposable contact lenses for children.

MiYOSMART by Hoya

Myopia management glasses lenses that are designed to be worn like everyday glasses.

Both of these products contain technology that focuses light in a different way to normal glasses and contact lenses. This could help slow down eye growth and therefore potentially reduce the likelihood of near‑sightedness developing or increasing in children.

After a management plan has started, the child is followed under the close care of their eyecare practitioner with regular follow‑up visits to reassess their level of myopia and how they’re adapting to their management plan.

Contact your optometrist if you or your child experience any of the symptoms mentioned.

Next steps

We want to help you see clearly and keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible. If your optometrist detects any signs of an eye condition during your comprehensive eye exam, they will determine an appropriate management plan that suits your needs.

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Get answers to your questions

Reviewed by Dr. Nieka Sabeti

Dr. Nieka Sabeti is a Doctor of Optometry in Canada and provides patient care at the Specsavers Kitsilano location. Dr. Sabeti is a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and BC Doctors of Optometry, and serves on multiple committees of the College of Optometrists of BC. Dr. Sabeti brings passion to her work, driving her motivation to uphold clinical excellence and promote best practices.

Noticed a change in your eyesight?

If you have any concerns about your eye health, contact or visit your local optometrist immediately – even if you do not have an appointment.

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