Myopia

Near–sightedness
Myopia, or near–sightedness, is the ability to clearly see objects up close but not those at a distance.

Causes
It is an inherited condition usually detected in children between the ages of eight and twelve. Few factors outside of heredity affect this condition. Using dim light, reading too much or nutritional deficiencies do not seem to impact it one way or the other.

Treatment
Myopia is best treated with eyeglasses and contact lenses which compensate for the elongated shape of the eye allowing the light to focus properly on the retina. As children (and their eyes) grow through the teen years, the condition typically worsens and then levels off in adulthood. During this growing period, new eye–glasses may be needed as often as every six months to correct the problem.

There is no scientific evidence that contact lenses or eye exercises stop the progression of myopia. “Refractive surgery” is available as a treatment for myopia but most ophthalmologists feel that eyes with simple myopia would best be treated with glasses or contact lenses.

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