What is nearsightedness? Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common
cause of blurred vision. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. If
you are nearsighted, objects in the distance appear blurry and
out of focus. You might squint or frown when trying to see
distant objects clearly. View a photo as seen through a normal
and a nearsighted eye. Nearsightedness is usually a variation
from normal, not a disease. Less often, nearsightedness happens
because of another disease or condition. What causes
nearsightedness? Most nearsightedness is caused by a natural
change in the shape of the eyeball. Less often, nearsightedness
may be caused by a change in the cornea or the lens. There is
nothing you can do to prevent nearsightedness. What are the
symptoms? The main symptom is blurred vision when looking at
distant objects. You may have trouble clearly seeing images or
words on a blackboard, movie screen, or television. This can
lead to poor school, athletic, or work performance. Your child
may be nearsighted if he or she squint