Myopia is a refractive error. Myopic or nearsighted people generally can see near objects clearly, but distant objects are out of focus.

This is the result of a refractive error of the eye in which the image of a distant object is formed in front of the retina and cannot be seen distinctly; near objects are seen more clearly than distant objects.

• Myopia is thought to be primarily hereditary in nature.




• Myopia, the most common refractive error, affects more than 25 percent of the population.




• Myopia usually becomes evident in children between the ages of 8 and 12 and worsens until early adulthood.




• Myopia is rare in infants and toddlers.




• Myopia that starts in infancy can be more severe than in school-age children.