Nearsightedness may develop gradually or rapidly, often worsening during childhood and adolescence. Nearsightedness tends to run in families.

A basic eye exam can confirm nearsightedness. You can easily correct the condition with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Another treatment option for nearsightedness is surgery.

Symptoms

Being nearsighted may mean:

• Distant objects appear blurry

• You need to squint to see clearly

• You have headaches caused by excessive eyestrain.

Nearsightedness is often first detected during childhood, from early school years through the later teens. A child with nearsightedness may:

• Persistently squint

• Sit very close to the television, movie screen or chalkboard

• Hold books very close while reading

• Seem to be unaware of distant objects.

Diagnosis:

• Can be made by a simple eye exmaintion.
• Opthalmoscopy.

Adults

If you don't wear glasses or contacts, have no symptoms of eye trouble and are at a low risk of developing eye disease, it's recommended that you have an eye exam at the following intervals.

• At least once between ages 20 and 39

• Every three to five years between the ages of 20 and 29 if you're at high risk of certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma

• Every two to four years between ages 40 and 64

• Every one to two years beginning at age 65.

Complications:

• Gluacoma.
• Retinal tear.
• Eye strain.

Treatment:

Corrective lens either by using spectacles or contact lens.

Refractive surgery:

• Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
• Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
• Anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implant.