Are Distant Objects Blurry? You May Have Myopia
posted by Ophthalmology | March 23, 2017
Similar to a camera lens, beams of light hit the eyes and become focused to help us see images. When this happens correctly, the images are transmitted to the brain to provide a clear and focused vision. When there is interference, problems with vision can arise such as nearsightedness.
In medical terms, nearsightedness is called myopia, and it affects 30 percent of the United States population. Here’s a look at the symptoms, risk factors and treatment methods available for myopia.
Myopia is the inability to see objects clearly when they’re too far away. People with myopia can often read or see items within a few feet of their face, but distant objects appear blurred.
This condition usually develops in an eyeball that’s too long from front to back. Light rays entering the eye are supposed to focus directly on the surface of the retina, but if the eyeball is too long, they focus at a point just in front of the retina instead. This is what causes the blurriness of objects that are further away.
The exact cause of myopia remains unknown. However, there are several factors that may increase your risk of developing the condition:
There are a couple different tests that can be used to help determine how the eyes process light, and whether myopia might be present, including:
There are several treatment options for myopia:
If you’re worried you or your child may be developing myopia, speak to your doctor about some easy, non-invasive tests to help diagnose your vision issues.
“Myopia (Nearsightedness).” American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia?sso=y#2
“Facts About Myopia.” National Eye Institute. https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/myopia
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.