What causes short sightedness (myopia)?
The eyeball tends to be long. The distance from the lens to the retina is further than average. Short-sightedness is very common. It tends to run in families. What are the symptoms? Difficulty with vision tends to start in the early teenage years – sometimes earlier. The earlier it starts the more severe it is likely to become. In early adulthood when growth stops, vision has usually become as bad as it is going to get and stabilises. Some children do not realise at first that their vision is affected. They may be able to read books and do close work well. However, seeing distant objects such as the blackboard at school may become difficult. They may think this is ‘normal’ and not tell anyone. Schoolwork may suffer for a while before the condition is identified and treatment provided. Are there any complications? The vast majority of people with short sight have no other associated problems. However, people with severe short sight have a slightly increased chance of developing glaucoma
