Myopia: Short-Sightedness

Short-sightedness can be treated with Laser Eye Surgery

Myopia – more commonly known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness – occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. This affects the way light is refracted into the eye.

When reflected light rays enter a myopic eye, they are focused slightly in front of rather than directly onto the retina. As a result, the image processed by the brain appears blurred.

The effect of myopia is that those affected are unable to see distant objects clearly, while their near vision may be very good. It may be difficult to read street signs or the numbers on buses, for example, while reading close-up text is easy. This is because the eye is naturally focused at a near distance.

Myopia is the most common refractive error. Laser Eye Surgery can correct myopia by permanently changing the shape of the cornea. This corrects the focusing power of the eye, enabling it to process distant objects.