What is myopia?

In myopia, the light entering the eye is bent too much, so that it focuses at a point in front of the retina. Here a person can see near objects well, but cannot see distant objects clearly. Hence myopic people are also called short-sighted.

To correct this error we need a spectacle lens which will decrease the bending of the light.

What is pseudomyopia? Does it go away?

Sometimes in children, or even in young adults, owing to excessive strain on the eye, accompanied by tension (say in an important examination), a low plus power eye or even a normal eye can suddenly show a fair degree of myopia. This occurs because of a sudden spasm of the ciliary muscle inside the eye. Often it is accompanied by severe headaches and difficulty in accommodation. If suspicion exists of this condition, the doctor will use a drop to dilate the pupil and relax the muscle and recheck the power of the eye.

Pseudomyopia is temporary and needs only relaxing drops. Usually no glasses are prescribed.

What are the types of myopia?

Myopia according to Duke Eller is of three main types:

(a) Simple myopia;

(b) Congenital myopia;

(c) Pathological myopia.

What is simple myopia?

This is the common school myopia which often starts at a very low number, usually by the 6th or 7th year and progresses very slowly. It reaches its maximum at minus 5 or 6 dioptres. It rarely exceeds this value unless accompanied by severe illness or weakness.

In this type of myopia, except for very minor changes, the retina is perfectly normal and the capacity for vision is unimpaired.

Dustin Flores

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