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Close up of a woman’s eye wearing a contact lens
Close up of a woman’s eye wearing a contact lens

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a condition that occurs when the eye cannot focus clearly, making faraway objects look blurred.

Nearsightedness happens when the shape of the eye is too long or when the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, is too steep. This causes light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina, a layer of tissue in the back of the eye, instead of on it. This incorrectly focused light causes blurry vision.

The exact cause of nearsightedness is unknown, but evidence shows that many people inherit myopia or have a greater chance of developing it. Activities that can contribute to the development of nearsightedness include spending a lot of time:

  • Reading
  • Working at a computer
  • Performing close visual work

Nearsightedness is common. It affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population.

Diagram of a nearsighted eye with labels
Diagram of a nearsighted eye with labels
Diagram of a nearsighted eye with labels

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a condition that occurs when the eye cannot focus clearly, making faraway objects look blurred.

Nearsightedness happens when the shape of the eye is too long or when the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, is too steep. This causes light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina, a layer of tissue in the back of the eye, instead of on it. This incorrectly focused light causes blurry vision.

The exact cause of nearsightedness is unknown, but evidence shows that many people inherit myopia or have a greater chance of developing it. Activities that can contribute to the development of nearsightedness include spending a lot of time:

  • Reading
  • Working at a computer
  • Performing close visual work

Nearsightedness is common. It affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population.

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