Illness name: short sightedness
Description:
Short-sightedness (myopia) is a very common eye condition where you cannot see objects far away clearly. It's usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Short-sightedness usually starts in children from age 6 to 13. It can also happen in adults.
Signs you or your child may be short-sighted include:
Short-sightedness often runs in families, so you may have relatives who are also short-sighted.
It can get worse until the eye has stopped growing, at around 20 years of age.
To check if you or your child is short-sighted, an eye test specialist called an optometrist will usually do an eye test.
You'll be asked to look at a light or read letters on a chart while different lenses are placed in front of your eyes.
To check the health of your eyes, you or your child may be given special eyedrops so the optometrist can see the back of your eye more clearly.
If you or your child needs glasses, you'll be given a prescription. You can take this to any optician.
Find out more about eye tests for children
NHS eye tests are free for some people, including:
Find out more about free NHS eye tests
Short-sightedness can usually be treated with glasses or contact lenses.
These help your eyes focus correctly, so you can see distant objects more clearly.
Glasses are suitable for children and adults. Contact lenses are only suitable for adults and some children
An optician will advise you about the best option for your short-sightedness.
Some people are entitled to a voucher to help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses (NHS optical voucher), including:
If you do not have a voucher, you'll have to pay for glasses or contact lenses.
Find out more about NHS optical vouchers
Surgery can be used to improve sight in some adults.
There are 2 different types of surgery:
This type of surgery is not available on the NHS and can be expensive.
Find out more about laser eye surgery and lens surgery
It's not clear why short-sightedness happens and it's hard to prevent it.
But there are some things that can help stop it getting worse.
These include:
Some opticians may advise wearing a special lens overnight (orthokeratology). This can help you see better without glasses or contact lenses.
If you're worried about your or your child's eyesight getting worse, talk to an optician.
Young children with untreated short-sightedness are more likely to get other conditions, such as:
Some adults with severe short sight-sightedness are more likely to develop:
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Page last reviewed: 10 May 2022
Short-sightedness (myopia)
Signs of short-sightedness
Non-urgent advice:
Go to an opticians if:
What happens during an eye test
NHS eye tests
Treatments for short-sightedness
Help with costs of glasses and contact lenses
Laser eye surgery and lens surgery
How to stop short-sightedness getting worse
Complications of short-sightedness
Help us improve our information
Next review due: 10 May 2025