5 Signs of Nearsightedness

As far as eye problems go, nearsightedness tops the charts. Roughly 40% — or two in five Americans — have trouble seeing things far away. And that number is rising, especially in kids. 

The good news is that nearsightedness, also called myopia, can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, giving you the ability to see far away. At our Benjamin Optical offices throughout New York City, our team helps adults and children find the right prescription to get 20/20 vision. 

But how do you know if you or your child truly need glasses or contacts? Here are five clear signs you’re living with nearsightedness. 

Squinting

Myopia occurs because your eye can’t refract light properly. When you have nearsightedness, light doesn’t refract directly onto your retina, but slightly in front of it.

Many people try to correct this issue — often unwittingly — by squinting. Squinting can adjust the way light refracts in your eye, giving you a little bit more clarity as you try to see something that’s far away.

Most people don’t realize they squint to try and see more clearly. If you have kids, it’s especially important to watch your children for squinting as they get older. A regular squint could be a sign of nearsightedness. 

Getting closer

Another often-unnoticed change people make when they live with myopia centers around their choice of seats. If you often try to get close to the screen when watching TV or near the whiteboard during a presentation, it could be to compensate for trouble seeing things far away.

This is another sign to watch for in children. If you notice your son or daughter always picks a seat near the front of the classroom, myopia could be to blame. 

Trouble driving at night

Some people have such mild myopia that they can easily navigate the day without glasses or contact lenses. But things change at night, particularly when you’re on the road.

You should feel confident that you can see when you take the wheel after dark. Some people even get glasses exclusively for night driving, and our Benjamin Optical team can help you find the perfect pair. 

Tired eyes

Nearsightedness puts a strain on your eyes as you continually try to see things that are far away. You might notice eye fatigue, particularly by the end of the day. Some people blink more or rub their eyes in an attempt to ease this eye strain. 

Headaches

All of the squinting and eye strain take a toll. As your body tries to overcome the refractive error causing your nearsightedness, it works overtime. And that commonly leads to headaches. 

In fact, if you have unexplained headaches, it could be because you can’t clearly see far away. Fortunately, a quick and convenient eye exam at any of our offices can tell you if your eyes are causing your persistent headaches. 

All of these signs are unwelcome, but you’re not stuck with them. At our Benjamin Optical offices, we offer contact lenses and designer eyewear to correct your myopia.

If you’re ready to see clearly and say goodbye to headaches and eye strain, call any of our offices or book the earliest available appointment online today.