.

Short-sightedness is a vision problem which means that people can't

focus on distant objects, making them look blurred.

The medical term for short-sightedness is myopia. Another name for

it is near-sightedness

About short-sightedness….
Normal vision
When you look at something, light rays from the object pass into your
eye through your cornea (the clear structure at the front of your eye)
then through the lens and on towards the retina at the back of your
eye. In a healthy eye the lens and cornea focus the light rays on a
small area of your retina so that you can see the object clearly.
What is short-sightedness?
Short-sightedness means you can't focus on distant objects. This may
be because your cornea is too curved or your eyeball is too long,
meaning that light rays from distant objects focus in front of your
retina. This makes distant objects seem fuzzy or blurred.
Close up objects won't look fuzzy, because the light rays enter your
eye at a slight angle. This means they focus on your retina properly.
Symptoms of short-sightedness
Short-sightedness causes distant objects to appear blurry and
unfocused, whereas close objects stay in focus.
Young children may not realise they have blurred vision. If your child
frowns, squints a lot or has trouble seeing the TV, he or she may have
short-sightedness
Causes of short-sightedness
There are a number of factors that can contribute to short-sightedness.
If your parents are short-sighted, you're more likely to develop short-
sightedness. If one of your parents is short-sighted, there is a one in
three chance you will also be short-sighted. If both your parents are
short-sighted, there is a one in two chance you will be too.
Babies who are born earlier than usual and who are underweight at
birth are more likely to develop short-sightedness.
Researchers have found that the number of people who are short-
sighted differs depending on ethnic background. For example, around
eight in every 10 people of Asian origin are short-sighted, whereas
only three in every 10 people of European origin are.
There is also increasing evidence to show that how you use your eyes
when you're a child and young adult can affect your sight in the
future. Children and young adults who read a lot or do a lot of close-
up work, for example using a computer, may be more likely to
develop short-sightedness. Research also shows that people who have
jobs that require them to read a lot, for example lawyers and doctors,
are more likely to be short-sighted. The reasons behind this aren't
fully understood.
the lens and on towards the retina at the back of your eye. In a healthy
eye the lens and cornea focus the light rays on a small area of your
retina so that you can see the object clea
The changes that occur if you are short-sighted
Short-sightedness usually starts in children or young teenagers. It's
very common and tends to run in families.
Young children may not realise they have blurred vision. If your child
frowns, squints a lot or has trouble seeing the TV, he or she may have
short-sightedness.
Babies who are born earlier than usual and who are underweight at
birth are more likely to develop short-sightedness.
Researchers have found that the number of people who are short-
sighted differs depending on ethnic background. For example, around
eight in every 10 people of Asian origin are short-sighted, whereas
only three in every 10 people of European origin are.
There is also increasing evidence to show that how you use your eyes
when you're a child and young adult can affect your sight in the
future. Children and young adults who read a lot or do a lot of close-
up work, for example using a computer, may be more likely to
develop short-sightedness. Research also shows that people who have
jobs that require them to read a lot, for example lawyers and doctors,
are more likely to be short-sighted. The reasons behind this aren't
fully understood.
Diagnosis of short-sightedness
If you're straining to see things in the distance, you should visit an
optometrist (a registered health professional who examines eyes, tests
sight and dispenses glasses and contact lenses) to have your eyes
tested.
In order to diagnose short-sightedness, your optometrist will usually
ask you to read a standard chart (called a Snellen chart) from a
distance of six metres. The chart has large letters at the top and small
ones at the bottom.
It's important to have regular eye tests. As well as diagnosing any
vision problems, they can reveal other serious illnesses, such as
diabetes or high blood pressure. According to the College of
Optometrists, you should have an eye test every two years. Depending
on your age, and if you have any known sight problems or illnesses
that affect your vision, you may need to have more regular eye tests.
Ask your optometrist or GP for more advice.
more regular eye tests. Ask your optometrist or GP for more advice.
Treatment of short-sightedness
Glasses and contact lenses
Short-sightedness can usually be corrected by you wearing glasses or
contact lenses. Your optometrist will discuss with you what options
are available.
If you're mildly short-sighted, you may only need to wear glasses or
contact lenses occasionally, such as when you're driving.
Contact lenses tend to be more expensive than glasses, and you need
to be comfortable touching your eyes to use them. You will need to
keep them clean and some types require a lot of care. A popular type
of contact lenses is daily disposable lenses, which you wear for one
day and then throw away. You don't need to clean or store these
lenses.
Glasses are usually recommended for children. They may also be
more suitable than contact lenses for older people.
Example of a Short Sight Prescription

Eye Sphere CYL  AXIS

Right
-2.50 -0.50 120
Eye   
Left Eye    -2.50 -0.25 45
Please note: the dash or minus sign in the sphere
(SPH)

Near-sighted vision (left) Normal vision (right)

Glasses are commonly used to address near-sightedness