People who are nearsighted have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Close objects, on the other hand, can be seen sharply without any problem. Nearsightedness can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery.
In nearsighted individuals, the image of a distant object is formed in front of the retina, not on it, which causes a blurred image to be transmitted to the brain. The reason why the image of distant objects appears in front of the retina rather than on it can have various causes, such as an eyeball that is too long or an excessive refractive power of the eye’s optical system.
The refractive power of the eye is measured in diopters. The normal value for seeing distant objects is approximately 60 to 65 diopters. In the case of vision problems, the number is either below the normal range, which indicates nearsightedness, or above the normal range, which indicates farsightedness. Most often, nearsightedness is corrected with glasses or contact lenses. There is also the option of having laser eye surgery.
The two most likely causes of nearsightedness are an eyeball that is too long or an excessively strong refractive power of the eye. The sharp image of distant objects is therefore formed in front of the retina, not on it, which leads to a blurred image.
There is also hereditary nearsightedness, known as simple myopia. This type of nearsightedness is inherited and usually appears at around 10 to 12 years of age. The diopter value, however, remains constant for most people from the age of 25 onward.
In malignant myopia, the eyeball stretches without external influences. The retina and the choroid can be damaged in the process. Typically, in this form of nearsightedness, a so-called Fuchs spot develops — a pigmented scar in the macula caused by damage. This condition not only leads to vision impairment but can also cause retinal detachment, which is why it should be treated immediately.
Symptoms of nearsightedness include poor recognition of faces, signs, and projected text at a distance, as well as blurred distance vision. Those affected often also experience headaches, especially in situations where they have to look into the distance for extended periods, such as in school, at university, or while driving. To determine if you are nearsighted, it is best to see an ophthalmologist or optician. A vision test will check how well you can see both near and far. If nearsightedness is diagnosed, it is recommended to have a more thorough examination by an ophthalmologist to determine the cause, as nearsightedness can also be associated with the possibility of retinal detachment. To measure the refractive power of the eye, there are two possible methods: objective and subjective refraction measurement.
Nearsightedness is usually treated with glasses or contact lenses, but for those who wish to avoid them, there is also the option of laser eye surgery. The most common method of laser eye surgery is the LASIK procedure. A thorough preliminary examination is required before undergoing this method.
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