Myopia is otherwise called as "short-sightedness" or "near-sightedness". You are Myopic if you are able to see only at a distance of 20 feet or less, what a normal person can see at a distance greater than 20 feet. To put it in simple terms, you cannot see distant objects clearly without glasses. The reason for this is either because y our cornea is too curved or the eyeball is too long so the light is focused in front of your retina rather than directly on to it. It may or may not be directly linked to what you do; i t could be an inherited problem.

There are various types of myopia like:

• Pseudo-myopia or temporary near-sightedness caused by some diseases like non insulin-dependant diabetes or certain drugs. This temporary near-sightedness will usually be cleared if the underlying cause is treated.

• Pathological-myopia caused when the eyeball continues to grow and becomes progressively worse. This is a very rare condition, but if any of your eyes develop this, you need to have an urgent surgical procedure to prevent any permanent loss of vision. For example, a few people with severe myopia may get retinal detachment, which is when the retinal lining separates from the back wall of the eye. This requires urgent surgical treatment to prevent permanent loss of vision.

Children in their early ages and up to their early teens, i.e. between 8 and 14 are more likely to get Myopia. Depending on your age and other factors like your profession and activities, the treatment may vary. The most common treatment is the usage of corrective glasses and / or contact lens. But in recent years, refractive procedures like LASIK have become popular and give you an option of not having to depend on glasses, contact lens through out your life.

The surgeon will be able to help in deciding on what treatment you could get after your eyes are diagnosed.