Nearsightedness

Alternative names:

myopia

Treatment:

Nearsightedness is easily compensated by the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Radial keratotomy is a surgical procedure that may improve or correct nearsightedness in some people.

Expectations (prognosis):

If nearsightedness is not detected and treated early, it can have social, emotional, and educational consequences for a child.

Complications:

• complications associated with the use of contact lenses (possible corneal ulcers and infections)
• complications of radial keratotomy, including failure of the surgery to correct the vision, pain, and corneal ulcers and infections

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if your child seems to be having a vision problem: sitting close to television, holding books very close when reading, or seeming to be unaware of distant objects.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if your child is having difficulties at school that may be caused by a vision problem.

Also call if you have nearsightedness and vision becomes worse.