Myopia
Causes, symptoms and modern treatment options
What is myopia?
Myopia is one of the most common refractive errors, causing near objects to appear clear while distant objects become blurred and difficult to read. For someone with myopia, the outlines of trees, text on signs or the faces of friends across the street lose their sharpness. It is a condition in which the optical system of the eye focuses light in front of the retina rather than directly on it, preventing a clear image of distant objects from reaching the brain.
How does myopia affect your daily life?
When the eye is too long or the cornea too convex, everyday functioning requires constant effort. This forces you to reduce your viewing distance — you need to move closer to a screen or road sign to read it clearly. Ignoring the condition over a long period can lead to chronic eye fatigue, as your brain constantly tries to compensate.
Symptoms of myopia - how do you recognise it?
The main symptom of myopia is a deterioration in distance visual acuity. The condition often develops gradually, so you may simply not notice it for a long time.
Most people with myopia instinctively find ways to improve their vision, which manifests in characteristic behaviours and sensations.
Squinting eyes
A natural reflex that reduces light scattering and briefly sharpens distant images.
Forehead pain
Caused by the constant tension of the eye muscles trying to compensate for out-of-focus images.
Eye fatigue (asthenopia)
A sensation of heavy eyelids, burning or watering, particularly after driving or watching a film.
Difficulties in low light
So-called night myopia, which can make driving in the evening a significant challenge.
Symptoms of myopia in children
In children, myopia often develops slowly and without obvious discomfort. Symptoms can be subtle and may be mistaken for lack of concentration or tiredness.
It is worth noting when a child:
- sits very close to the television or monitor,
- leans over a book or notebook,
- has difficulty reading content from the board at school,
- tires more quickly during activities that require looking into the distance.
Early detection allows not only for appropriate correction, but also for measures to slow the progression of myopia in children.
Causes of myopia
What causes the eye to become myopic?
The development of myopia is rarely the result of a single event. It is a process in which biological predisposition meets daily habits. Understanding the causes helps you not only to accept the condition, but more importantly to consciously take care of your eyesight in the future.
Genes and environment
Many patients inherit a tendency to myopia — if close relatives wear glasses, your risk of developing the condition is naturally higher. However, genes are only part of the story. Our eyes, which evolved to see at a distance, face considerable demands in the modern world. Intensive close-up work — hours of studying, reading or using a smartphone — places constant strain on the eye's accommodative system.
The importance of daylight
An important and often overlooked factor is our relationship with the natural world. Daylight acts as a natural regulator of eye growth. Too little time spent outdoors, particularly during adolescence, can interfere with the processes that protect the eye from excessive elongation. Our eyes need the horizon and natural light to maintain their normal structure.
Eye habits and changes in eye structure
The health of your eyesight also depends on how you organise your daily routine. Lack of regular breaks and inadequate lighting at your workstation directly affect the condition of the eye tissues. In some people, changes occur in the sclera — the outer layer of the eye. If the sclera is prone to stretching, the condition can progress. This is why, during diagnosis, we assess not only the degree of refractive error but also the structure of the eye and your daily visual habits.
Types of myopia
In clinical practice, several types of myopia are distinguished, differing in their underlying mechanism.
Axial myopia
The most common form, associated with excessive elongation of the eyeball.
Curvature myopia
Results from excessive curvature of the cornea or lens. May be congenital or associated with an accommodative disorder.
Index myopia
Occurs when the structure of the eye is normal, but the refractive index of the lens changes — for example in diabetes or cataract.
Degrees of refractive error
Low refractive error
Usually does not exceed -3.0 D. Often referred to as school myopia, it typically stabilises around the age of 20.
Moderate refractive error
Ranges from approximately -4.0 to -6.0 D and requires regular eye check-ups.
High refractive error
Exceeding -8.0 D, it carries a higher risk of complications and requires ongoing specialist care.
How is myopia treated?
The treatment process begins with a thorough diagnosis. We do not view your vision problem as a mere statistic, but as a unique feature of your anatomy. In adults with a stable defect, it is possible to permanently resolve the problem through laser vision correction. This procedure involves precisely reshaping the cornea so that light once again focuses perfectly on the retina.
We choose how to proceed individually, taking into account the patient's age, the degree and stability of the refractive error and the examination findings.
Diagnosis of myopia
- determines the type and degree of refractive error
- assesses the condition of the cornea, lens and retina
- identifies the safest method of correction
The examinations also allow us to assess the stability of the refractive error and plan any follow-up appointments.
FAQ
We will answer all your concerns
What makes myopia worse?
Progression is favoured by prolonged close work, insufficient screen breaks, intensive use of screens and too little time spent in daylight.
Does laser myopia correction hurt?
No. The procedure is performed under topical anaesthesia (anaesthetic eye drops) and any discomfort afterwards is temporary.
Can myopia reverse itself?
No. Myopia does not resolve on its own. However, its progression can be slowed — particularly in children and adolescents.
Can myopia be corrected permanently?
In suitable candidates, permanent correction of myopia through laser vision correction is possible. These procedures are not performed in children or when the refractive error is unstable.
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