Nearsightedness

Definition

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common vision condition where close objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This occurs when light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nearsightedness is typically caused by an elongated eyeball or a too-curved cornea.
2. The condition can be corrected using concave lenses in glasses or contact lenses which help to diverge light rays before they reach the eye.
3. Refractive surgeries like LASIK can also correct nearsightedness by reshaping the cornea.
4. Myopia increases the risk of developing other eye conditions such as glaucoma and retinal detachment.
5. The degree of nearsightedness is measured in diopters (D), with higher negative values indicating more severe myopia.

Review Questions

Related terms

Farsightedness:

A vision condition where distant objects are seen more clearly than close ones because light is focused behind the retina.

Astigmatism:

A common imperfection in the curvature of the eye's cornea or lens that causes blurred or distorted vision.

LASIK:

A type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea, correcting conditions like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.