What is Short-sightedness?
Short–sightedness, or myopia, is a relatively common eye condition that causes distance vision to appear out of focus, while close objects can be seen clearly. Most people will use glasses or contact lenses to help put objects back into focus.
What causes Short-sightedness?
Patients who are short-sighted have a steep cornea and/or a long eye (right). This means that the point of focus falls short of the retina and the patient will struggle to focus on things in the distance. The longer the eye and/or steeper the cornea the higher the level of short-sightedness
This can be caused by a plethora of possible reasons, but most commonly through an excessive use of phones, tablets and computers, while it can also be inherited.
Common Short-sightedness Symptoms
Impaired distance vision is the most noticeable symptom for those who are myopic. Some objects in the distance may appear blurry, which may cause a person to squint to help see more accurately. Commonly for adults, the ability to see clearly while driving is often hindered.
Those who are short-sighted, may suffer from tired eyes and possible headaches.
Treating Short-sightedness
Short-sightedness can be corrected by flattening the cornea and making it less powerful. This moves the point of focus backwards to fall onto the retina.
Higher prescriptions require a higher correction and removal of more tissue–suitability is thus dependent on adequate corneal thickness to perform the correction safely. IntraLASIK has been effective for a wide range of short-sightedness up to -12.00 diopters.
Shortsight is relatively common. Most people use glasses or contact lenses to cope, but there are many vision correction options available including:
These options are highly successful and offer some amazing visual outcomes that have provided life changing results for so many of our patients.
If you think you are short-sighted and are considering vision correction, please contact us on 0800 0112882 where our Patient Liaison Team can speak with you. Alternatively, please click on one of the buttons below and a member of our team can contact you further.
Author Information
Authored by Sheraz Daya MD FACP FACS FRCS(Ed) FRCOphth, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Medical Director, June 2019.
Next review due June 2024.