What is myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error of vision where individuals have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly while nearby objects can be seen clearly. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too long or when the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is too steep, causing light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

In practical terms, someone with myopia may find it challenging to read road signs or see a chalkboard from the back of the classroom, while they can easily read a book or a smartphone up close. The understanding of myopia is essential for appropriate management, which may include corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses, or refractive surgery options for eligible patients.

Other options describe different visual conditions: farsightedness pertains to difficulty seeing close objects clearly, blindness may refer to a complete loss of vision, and diabetes-related complications impacting vision relate more to diabetic retinopathy or similar issues rather than myopia. Thus, accurately identifying myopia as nearsightedness clarifies its specific characteristics and implications for vision care.