Myopia / Nearsightedness

Myopia is the medical term for near-sightedness, and occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Individuals with myopia typically see objects that are close well, but have difficulty seeing objects that are far away. It is caused by a cornea that is steeper, or an eye that is longer, than a normal eye. Approximately 30% of people in the United States are near-sighted. Myopia typically starts to appear between ages 8-12, often progresses over childhood, and stabilizes by adulthood.