Overview

If you are nearsighted, you have trouble seeing things in the distance. Faraway objects look blurry and out of focus. You may have trouble clearly seeing images or words on a street sign, movie screen, or television. But you can see things near you, close to your face.

Most nearsightedness is caused by a natural change in the shape of the eyeball that makes the eyeball oval (egg-shaped) rather than round. This causes light rays that enter the eye to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses can help correct nearsightedness. Several types of surgery can also be done to reduce or fix nearsightedness.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Reduce eye strain

• Wear eyeglasses or contact lenses as prescribed.
• Provide good light for reading, work, or study. Use a soft background light plus a light on your task.
• Take frequent breaks when you do close work that can be hard on your eyes. Blink often. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds (the "20-20-20" rule). Close and rest your eyes when they feel tired or dry.
• Avoid glare on TV and computer screens. Place your TV or computer screen where lights do not reflect on the screen. Some people find it easier to work on a computer in a dimly lit room. Special non-glare screens that fit over the computer screen are also available.

Keep your eyes healthy

• Have eye exams as often as your doctor recommends.
• Wear sunglasses to block harmful sunlight. Buy sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.