Myopia is more commonly known as nearsightedness. When a person has myopia, he or she can see things up close but will struggle to see things in the distance. This is a very common condition and ranges from mild to severe.

Eye shape determines whether a person has myopia. No one is sure what causes it, although researchers think it is likely a combination of environmental factors and a person’s genes. The eye is not exactly round, despite what many people think. Myopia occurs when the eye is too long from front to back or when the cornea is not the right shape.

Light enters the eye and refracts. If the eye is too long, the focus happens in front of the retina and not on it. This causes things to appear out of focus the further away they are.

Common Symptoms of Myopia

Doctors usually diagnose myopia in childhood. The most common symptom is blurriness, but patients may also describe having headaches or eyestrain. Children with moderate to severe myopia can struggle in school and may have poor grades.

Adults can develop myopia when they did not have it before. Diabetes and other conditions can change the shape of the eye. Over time, activities like driving become more difficult.

Some adults who do activities that require them to focus on an object close to them can also have symptoms that mimic myopia. In these cases, the symptoms can get better or go away if the person takes breaks to rest his or her eyes or stops performing the activity.

The Progression of Myopia

In the majority of cases, doctors diagnose myopia in childhood. The symptoms and severity of myopia can progress but usually level off by adulthood — around the age of 20.

Myopia can get worse with age. Children and young adults don’t just experience growth spurts in the body. The eyes can change during these growth spurts, which causes the symptoms of myopia to worsen.

In rare cases, children may develop a more severe form of myopia. High myopia is when the eyeball is much longer than normal from front to back. Patients with high myopia have a greater chance of developing other vision problems later in life. Getting regular exams helps to identify these issues before they can further impact vision.

Another rare form of progressive myopia is degenerative myopia. This is a common cause of blindness in teens and young adults. Degenerative myopia damages the retina.

Exploring Treatment Options

If your child is complaining about headaches or not being able to see well in school, it might be time for an eye exam. There are many tools and treatments available for patients experiencing myopia. The best options for you may change over time. Finding the right treatments for your myopia can improve your quality of life.

The doctors at West Texas Eye Care can assess your vision needs and help form the appropriate plan of care. To schedule an appointment at our Fort Stockton or Pecos, Texas, location, call us at (432) 336-3662 or (432) 445-3662.