What It Is: Myopia is the medical term for nearsightedness, a condition in which far-off objects appear blurred. Nearsightedness occurs when light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly, either because the cornea is too curved or the eyeball is too long. For most people, prescription glasses or contacts correct the problem.
Signs & Symptoms: If your vision is blurry when looking at far-off objects, you may be nearsighted. Other signs of myopia include needing to squint to see more clearly and having headaches caused by eyestrain.
Who’s at Risk: An estimated 30 percent of Americans are nearsighted; the disease affects men and women equally. Myopia most often first develops in school-aged children, and the condition can continue to progress as the eye continues to grow, until about age 20 when the eyeball stops growing.