Nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common reffractive error, when rays of light entering the eye from a distance brake in front of the retina and blurred vision is creating on the retina. This specific event can occur when:

• the increased refraction of the optical system of the eye, especially cornea and lens in smaller extent - refractive myopia,
• the extention of the anterodorsal lenght of the eye called axial myopia.

The nearsightedness is influenced mostly by the lenght of the eye (axial myopia). The eye extends especially in the period of children's growth.

The development of myopia

School myopia

The first difficulties with myopia usually occur at the age of 6-12 years and therefore it is sometimes called school nearsightedness (myopia). Of course, the creation of myopia is not directly related to the start of school attendance but at this age, an increased growth of eye lenght and its extension may occur. As result, there is a worsened vision to the distance. Children are not able to see on the board and have to find an eye specialist. The doctor prescribes them eyeglasses usually with the amount of 1-2 diopters. During this period, there is an increase of the amount of diopters (usually 1-2 diopters) in one year. Nearsighted compensate poor or week eyeglasses by a noticeable winking of eyelashes when looking into the distance. While watching TV they are sitting near the screen and when reading they hold a book close to the eyes.

Myopia after the age of 18

Typically myopia stabilizes after stopping the growth of the organism, after the age of 18, and usually remains unchanged during the life. However, there is myopia which expands even after the age of 18 and can reach the extreme levels - 20 diopters or more. Such myopia is usually apparent in childhood before the start of school attendance. In some case a child can be born with myopia, that even increases during adolescence - 2-3 diopters per year.