MYOPIA

The basic process of sight begins when light rays enter the eye through the cornea, the front surface of the eye. The cornea begins bending the light rays toward the back of the eye. The light then passes through the lens of the eye, which directs the rays toward an exact spot on the retina in the back of the eye. When that light reaches that perfect spot on the retina in a normal eye, the image seen is clear and in focus.

In a myopic or nearsighted eye, the light rays do not reach that perfect spot on the retina. This occurs either because the curve of the cornea is too steep or because the eyeball is too long. In either case, the light rays of a distant point focus before reaching the retina, causing the distant image to be blurry. Depending on the severity of the myopia, glasses or contacts may need to be worn to help direct the light rays back to the precise point on the retina, allowing clearer distance vision.