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Nearsightedness Causes and Risks:
With this disorder, near objects are seen clearly, while objects in the distance are blurred. This is the result of the visual image being focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it. It may be caused from the eyeball being too long from front to back, or from the lens power being too strong. Nearsightedness often develops in the school-aged child and through the early 20s after which it usually stabilizes. Until that time, it may develop rapidly and require frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses. It affects males and females equally, and family history of nearsightedness is a risk factor.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
A general eye examination or standard ophthalmic exam may include:
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.
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
Call Your Healthcare 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.
Visual acuity tests may be performed in many different ways. This is a quick way to detect vision problems and is frequently used in schools or for mass screening. Driver license bureaus often use a small device that can test the eyes both together and individually.
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