Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Clear up close, blurry far away.
Nearsightedness (myopia) means distant things look blurry while close things are clear. It usually happens because the eye is a little too long from front to back, so light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it.
Myopia is one of the most common vision problems and is becoming more common in children worldwide. Correcting it is easy. Managing it well, especially in kids and in people with high prescriptions, protects eye health for life.
Signs of nearsightedness
- Squinting to see the board, TV or road signs
- Sitting close to the TV or holding devices very close
- Headaches or tired eyes after driving or sports
- Trouble seeing at night (night myopia is common)
- In kids: a falling grade in a class where they sit far from the board
Why myopia is increasing
Genetics matter: children with one or two nearsighted parents are more likely to become nearsighted. But the rise over recent decades points to lifestyle too. Research links more time outdoors in childhood to a lower risk of developing myopia, while long stretches of close work and less daylight seem to add to it. Practical habits help: outdoor play most days, breaks from close work, and reasonable screen limits.
Children: slowing myopia, not just correcting it
Myopia that starts in childhood usually keeps increasing until the teen years, as the eye grows longer. Every step up adds lifelong risk. Myopia management aims to slow that growth, not just sharpen vision. We offer MiSight 1 Day contact lenses, FDA approved to slow myopia progression in children who start at ages 8 to 12, and orthokeratology (ortho-k), overnight lenses that reshape the cornea for clear daytime vision.
High myopia and eye health
A higher prescription isn’t only about thicker lenses. A longer eye stretches the retina, which raises the lifetime risk of retinal tears and detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts and myopic macular changes. That’s why highly nearsighted patients benefit from regular dilated or Optomap ultra-widefield retinal exams. Know the warning signs: new flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a curtain over your vision need same-day care.
Correction options
- Glasses, with thinner high-index lenses for stronger prescriptions. See lens options.
- Contact lenses, including daily disposables. See contact lenses.
- Ortho-k for glasses-free days, children and adults
- Refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, implantable lenses). We refer to surgeons and co-manage your care before and after.
Reading your prescription
| On your prescription | What it means |
|---|---|
| OD / OS | Right eye / left eye (from the Latin oculus dexter and oculus sinister). OU means both eyes. |
| SPH (sphere) | The main power. A minus number (−2.00) means nearsighted; a plus number (+1.50) means farsighted. |
| CYL (cylinder) | The amount of astigmatism. Blank means none. |
| AXIS | The direction of the astigmatism, from 1 to 180 degrees. It only matters if there’s a CYL number. |
| ADD | Extra reading power for bifocals or progressives, usually after 40. |
| PRISM | Shifts the image to help the two eyes work together, if needed. |
Nearsighted prescriptions have a minus sphere, like −2.50. The bigger the number, the more nearsighted.
Common questions
What is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common focusing error where distant objects look blurry and close objects are clear, usually because the eye is slightly too long. It’s corrected with glasses, contacts, ortho-k or refractive surgery.
Can myopia be slowed in children?
Yes. Myopia management treatments such as MiSight 1 Day contact lenses, which are FDA approved for children who start at ages 8 to 12, and orthokeratology can slow how quickly nearsightedness increases. More outdoor time also helps.
Does wearing glasses make myopia worse?
No. Glasses don’t cause the eye to grow. Myopia often increases during childhood because the eye is still growing, whether or not glasses are worn.
Is high myopia dangerous?
High myopia raises the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts and myopic macular changes, so regular dilated or Optomap retinal exams are important. New flashes, floaters or a curtain in your vision need same-day care.
What does a minus number on my prescription mean?
A minus sphere (SPH) means you are nearsighted. The larger the number, for example −5.00 compared with −1.00, the stronger the prescription.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Tumolo, O.D., L.D.O. · Last reviewed
Sources
- National Eye Institute: Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- American Optometric Association: Myopia
- National Eye Institute: Retinal Detachment
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. Same-day appointments are available during office hours.