A little boy wearing glasses looking at a computer

Myopia1

my•o•pia /mīˈōpēə/

Noun

A common vision problem that makes distant objects look blurry, while objects nearby remain clear. Myopia is also known as “nearsightedness” or “shortsightedness”.

According to the American Optometric Association, more than 40% of Americans are myopic, a number that is rapidly rising, especially among school-aged children. It is most often detected between ages of 3-12.1

What are the symptoms of myopia?2

Squinting when looking at or reading things at a distance

1

Squinting can temporarily improve blurry vision, so if you notice your child squinting a lot, they might have trouble seeing at a distance.

Pink eye chart
2

Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly

You might notice this when your child sits too close to the TV, or shows disinterest in activities that require them to focus at a distance.

3

Eye strain

Children experiencing eye strain may complain of headaches or sore, tired eyes. They may also rub their eyes frequently.

Pink eye chart
1

Squinting when looking at or reading things at a distance

Squinting can temporarily improve blurry vision, so if you notice your child squinting a lot, they might have trouble seeing.

2

Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly

You might notice this when your child sits too close to the TV, or shows disinterest in activities that require them to focus at a distance.

3

Eye strain

You might notice this when your child sits too close to the TV, or shows disinterest in activities that require them to focus at a distance.

Myopia early detection and prevention tips3

Three boys in the backseat of a car smiling and looking at a phone

Catch it early

Take your child for annual vision care exams with your eye doctor. During their next appointment, you can also talk with your provider about the first FDA approved treatment proven to slow the worsening of nearsightedness in children.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends babies receive a professional eye exam shortly after birth, at six months of age and again just prior to entering school.4

A little boy wearing glasses and climbing up a rope

Seize the daylight

Encourage your child to spend at least 2 hours outdoors daily. This may help delay myopia onset or prevent myopia development.

A woman wearing glasses and looking through documents

It’s all about the elbow

Maintain proper distance when doing near work (e.g., reading) – the book should be at least as far from your eyes as your elbow is when you make a fist and hold it against your nose.

A little boy and girl sitting on a couch wearing glasses and looking at a phone and tablet

Take a break

When doing homework or using digital devices, take a break every 20 minutes or so. During the break, stand up and look out a window.

Tip #1

Three boys in the backseat of a car smiling and looking at a phone

Catch it early

Take your child for annual vision care exams with your eye doctor. During their next appointment, you can also talk with your provider about the first FDA approved treatment proven to slow the worsening of nearsightedness in children.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends babies receive a professional eye exam shortly after birth, at six months of age and again just prior to entering school.4

Tip #2

A little boy wearing glasses and climbing up a rope

Seize the daylight

Encourage your child to spend at least 2 hours outdoors daily. This may help delay myopia onset or prevent myopia development.

Tip #3

A woman wearing glasses and looking through documents

It’s all about the elbow

Medically known as photokeratitis, snow blindness is similar to a sunburned cornea. It results from unprotected exposure to sunlight reflecting off of the ice, snow and water, particularly at high elevations where the air is thinner2. To prevent snow blindness, wear eye protection, especially when skiing.

Tip #4

A little boy and girl sitting on a couch wearing glasses and looking at a phone and tablet

Take a break

When doing homework or using digital devices, take a break every 20 minutes or so. During the break, stand up and look out a window.

Myopia simulator

Want to see what myopia might look like?
Click and slide target below to show myopia with uncorrected vision (on the right) at different Rx levels.

Modified Image
Original Image
Prescription
(Diopters)
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  • -1
  • -2
  • -3
  • -4
  • -5
  • -6

Diagnosing and treating myopia

Myopia cannot be reversed or cured, but it can be treated.5 Ready to take the first step? Visit your eye doctor for a vision care exam – myopia can be diagnosed and treated by visiting an in-network provider such as Pearle Vision.

pink glass icon

Disclaimer: For advice and further information about nearsightedness you should consult an eye care professional. This simulator should be treated as information only and does not represent advice. The images presented are artistic interpretations of nearsightedness as experienced without glasses or contact lenses.

1 - “Myopia (Nearsightedness)”; Cleveland Clinic; clevelandclinic.org; October 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8579-myopia-nearsightedness
2 - “Eye Conditions: Myopia,” All About Vision, February 2022 https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia.htm
3 - “Myopia in Children: Is your child at risk?,” All About Vision, March 2022, https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia-causes.htm
4 - “AOA Pediatric Guidelines 6-Page Summary,” American Optometric Association, February 2021 https://www.aoa.org/AOA/Documents/About%20the%20AOA/Get%20Involved/AOA%20Pediatric%20Guidline%206-page%20Summary%202.19.21.pdf
5 - “Myopia (Nearsightedness) in Children & Teens,” Healthychildren.org, May 2022, https://www.healthychildren.org/english/health-issues/conditions/eyes/pages/myopia-nearsightedness.aspx