Nearsightedness

Shortsightedness, known as myopia, is a defect in the focusing of vision that makes distant objects appear blurry while nearby ones are seen clearly. It occurs when light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it.

Common symptoms: Difficulty seeing far away, the need to squint, eye strain and, in children, trouble making out the chalkboard or the television.

When to see a doctor? A checkup is advisable if distance vision becomes blurry or if a child shows signs of not seeing well.

Which specialist treats it? The ophthalmologist and the optometrist perform the vision evaluation, and in children the pediatrician can detect the first signs. A timely checkup with one of these professionals helps care for the health of your eyes.