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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffBeing nearsighted may mean:
- Distant objects appear blurry
- You need to squint to see clearly
- You have headaches caused by excessive eyestrain
Nearsightedness is often first detected during childhood and is most common during early school years through the later teens. A child with nearsightedness may:
- Persistently squint
- Need to sit very close to the television, movie screen or blackboard
- Hold books very close while reading
- Seem to be unaware of distant objects
- Blink excessively
- Rub his or her eyes frequently
When to see a doctor
If your degree of nearsightedness is pronounced enough that you can't perform a task as well as you wish, or if the quality of your vision detracts from your enjoyment of activities, see an eye doctor. He or she can determine the degree of your nearsightedness and advise you of your options to correct your vision.
Since it may not always be readily apparent that you're having trouble with your vision, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following intervals for regular eye exams:
Adults
If you're at high risk of certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma — get an eye exam every two to four years up to age 40, then every one to three years between 40 and 54, and finally every one to two years for those 55 and older.
If you don't wear glasses or contacts, have no symptoms of eye trouble and are at a low risk of developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma, it's recommended that you have an eye exam at the following intervals.
- At least once between puberty and age 40, and then every five to 10 years if you don't have vision problems or risk factors for eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- Between ages 40 and 64 — every two to four years
- Age 65 and older — every one to two years
If you wear glasses or contacts, you'll likely need to have your eyes checked every year. Ask your eye doctor how frequently you need to schedule your appointments. But, if you notice any problems with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible, even if you've recently had an eye exam. Blurred vision, for example, may suggest you need a prescription change, or it could be a sign of another problem.
Children and adolescents
Children need to be screened for eye disease and have their vision tested by a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist or another trained screener at the following ages and intervals.
- Between birth and 3 months
- Between 6 months and 1 year
- Around 3 years
- Around 5 years
Additionally, it's recommended that school-age children be screened at school or through community programs approximately every two years to check for vision problems.
- Care of the patient with myopia. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-15.pdf. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Preferred practice patterns: Refractive errors and refractive surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/PPP_Content.aspx?cid=e6930284-2c41-48d5-afd2-631dec586286. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Refractive error. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec09/ch099/ch099a.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Frequency of ocular examinations. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/ClinicalStatements_Content.aspx?cid=810eaf61-181e-41c8-a0e8-e1d122efe5a4. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Opticians, dispensing. U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos098.htm. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Bower KS. Laser refractive surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2009.
- Eye health tips. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips.asp. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 20, 2009.
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