Short-sightedness: Signs and symptoms of myopia

There are several symptoms of myopia (shortsightedness), all of which are fairly easy to recognise.

As the name indicates, shortsighted people see nearby objects quite clearly, but they strain to see things that are farther away.

In addition to blurry distance vision, signs and symptoms of myopia include squinting, excessive blinking, eye rubbing, headaches, eye strain and an apparent unawareness of distant objects.

Shortsightedness usually begins in childhood. A typical complaint of shortsighted schoolchildren is that they have trouble reading what’s written on the classroom blackboard or whiteboard.

SEE RELATED: Is short sightedness reversible?

Myopia generally stabilises by age 20, but it can continue to progress in early adulthood.

If your child is experiencing myopia symptoms, schedule a complete eye exam with an optician. Children who are shortsighted should have annual eye exams to help maintain excellent vision during the school years.

Shortsightedness usually doesn’t pose a risk to eye health, but it’s important to get an early diagnosis and treatment to ensure that it does not become a degenerative condition.

Myopia can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. When the condition stabilises, refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK and PRK can permanently correct shortsightedness and eliminate myopia symptoms.

FIND AN OPTICIAN: An optician can assess your vision, find an optician near you.

Page published on Friday, 28 June 2019