Nearsightedness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Nearsightedness?
An eye doctor treats nearsightedness. This can be an optometrist, who checks vision and prescribes glasses and contact lenses, or an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who treats eye disease and performs eye surgery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is a refractive error. That means the eye does not focus light the right way. Far-away objects look blurry. Light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
A nearsighted person sees close-up objects clearly. Most eyes with nearsightedness are healthy.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are:
- Trouble seeing things that are far away.
- Needing to squint to see clearly.
- Eye strain, which is when your eyes feel tired or sore.
- Headaches, which are not as common.
If you have mild nearsightedness, you may not notice any symptoms. Nearsightedness is often first noticed in school-aged children or teenagers. Children often cannot read the blackboard, but they can easily read a book.
Nearsightedness gets worse during the growth years. People who are nearsighted may need to change glasses or contact lenses often.
Causes and who gets it
Nearsightedness happens when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. It can also happen when the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye, or the lens has a shape problem. The lens is the inner part of the eye that helps it focus.
Anyone can be nearsighted, but the risk is higher if family members are nearsighted too. It usually starts between ages 6 and 14 and gets worse until the early twenties. It affects males and females equally.
Many gene changes, each with a small effect, likely work together with environment and lifestyle factors. Children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to be nearsighted, but experts are not sure why.
Severe nearsightedness is called high myopia. It raises the risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment, cataract, and glaucoma. Retinal detachment is when the retina is pulled away from its normal position.
How doctors diagnose it
Eye doctors check for nearsightedness as part of a comprehensive eye exam. A standard eye exam may include a refraction test, which finds the right prescription for glasses. It may also include a retinal exam and a slit-lamp exam, which looks at the structures at the front of the eyes. Visual acuity is tested at a distance and up close. This shows how clearly you can read letters on an eye chart.
Treatment
The most common treatments are eyeglasses or contact lenses. Your eye doctor prescribes the right lenses to help you see as clearly as possible. Glasses and contacts focus light so you can see far away. They do not change the normal progression of nearsightedness. People who wear contact lenses can get corneal ulcers and infections. Ask your eye doctor how to wear and care for lenses safely.
Adults can also get surgery. It changes the shape of the cornea so it can focus light clearly. The most common surgery is LASIK, which uses a laser to reshape and flatten the cornea. A newer laser surgery called SMILE is also approved in the United States. Problems from laser vision correction are rare, but they can be serious.
Recent information suggests that certain dilating eye drops, used in certain children at just the right time, may decrease the total amount of nearsightedness. Ask an eye doctor if this fits your child.
When to see a doctor
See an eye doctor if your child has trouble reading the blackboard or signs on a wall, holds books very close, or sits close to the television. Early diagnosis is important. A child can suffer socially and educationally by not being able to see well at a distance. Mild nearsightedness may cause no symptoms, so regular eye exams matter.
Contact your eye doctor right away if you or your child is nearsighted and has flashing lights, floating spots, or sudden loss of any part of the field of vision. These can be signs of a retinal tear or detachment. A retinal detachment can cause lasting vision loss if it is not treated quickly. If you cannot be seen quickly, go to an emergency room.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can notice vision complaints, refer you to an eye doctor, and help with follow-up and your overall health.
Common questions
Does nearsightedness get worse over time?
Yes, it often does during childhood and the teen years. Nearsightedness gets worse during the growth years. It most often stops getting worse as a person stops growing in the early twenties.
Can nearsightedness be prevented?
It has been generally believed that there is no way to prevent nearsightedness. Recent research suggests that more time outdoors during childhood may lead to less nearsightedness.
Is nearsightedness serious?
Most of the time it is a common vision problem that lenses can correct, and most nearsighted eyes are healthy. Severe nearsightedness can raise the risk of other eye conditions, like retinal detachment.
Can surgery fix nearsightedness?
Surgery can treat it in adults. It changes the shape of the cornea so light focuses clearly. Laser vision correction can rarely cause serious complications, so talk with your eye doctor first.
Sources
- National Eye Institute - Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- MedlinePlus - Nearsightedness
- MedlinePlus Genetics - Nearsightedness
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
