Understanding Myopia & Clear Distance Vision

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is a common refractive condition in which distant objects appear blurred while closer objects can usually be seen more clearly.

For example, someone with myopia may be able to read a book or look at a mobile phone comfortably but have difficulty seeing:

• Road signs

• Classroom boards

• Presentation screens

• Television subtitles

• Faces from a distance

Myopia can occur at different ages and can range from mild to high levels.

At Eye Zen Optical in Singapore, we provide personalised vision assessments and spectacle solutions based on your prescription, visual requirements and lifestyle.

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What Causes Myopia?

For clear vision, light entering the eye needs to be focused appropriately on the retina at the back of the eye.

In a myopic eye, light from distant objects is focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it when accommodation is relaxed.

As a result, distant objects appear blurred.

This commonly occurs because the eye is longer than required for its optical power, although the shape and focusing power of the cornea and lens can also contribute.

Myopia is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics and environment.

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What Does Myopia Look Like?

One of the most noticeable characteristics of myopia is the difference between near and distance vision.

Without appropriate correction:

Near objects → may appear relatively clear

Distant objects → appear increasingly blurred

The amount of blur depends on the degree of myopia.

Someone with mild myopia may only notice difficulty with distant signs or presentations, while someone with higher myopia may need spectacles for clear vision at much shorter distances.

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Common Signs and Symptoms of Myopia

Myopia may cause:

• Blurred distance vision

• Difficulty reading road signs

• Difficulty seeing presentation screens or classroom boards

• Squinting to see distant objects more clearly

• Sitting closer to the television

• Moving closer to see distant details

• Difficulty recognising faces at a distance

• Eye strain in some circumstances

• Headaches associated with visual effort in some individuals

Children may not always realise that their distance vision is blurred because they may assume everyone sees the same way.

Regular eye examinations can help identify refractive changes.

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Why Does Squinting Sometimes Make Myopia Look Clearer?

People with uncorrected myopia often instinctively narrow their eyelids when trying to see something in the distance.

Squinting temporarily reduces some of the unfocused light entering the eye.

This creates a small pinhole-like effect, which can make an image appear slightly sharper.

However, squinting does not correct myopia.

If you regularly need to squint to recognise distant objects, an eye examination may be appropriate.

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How Is Myopia Measured?

In general, a larger minus value represents a greater amount of myopia.

However, the prescription number alone does not describe everything about someone's vision.

Astigmatism, differences between the two eyes, binocular vision, age, visual demands and other factors may also influence the final spectacle prescription and visual experience.

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Can Myopia Be Different Between the Two Eyes?

Yes.

It is common for the two eyes to have slightly different prescriptions.

When the difference becomes significant, it is known as anisometropia.

The difference between the eyes may affect spectacle adaptation and binocular comfort in some individuals, particularly when the difference is large.

For these prescriptions, it can be important to consider not only how clearly each eye sees individually but also how comfortably the two eyes work together through the finished spectacles.

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Myopia and Astigmatism

Myopia and astigmatism are different refractive conditions, but they frequently occur together.

Myopia primarily affects the ability to see distant objects clearly.

Astigmatism occurs when the optical system of the eye has different focusing powers in different meridians.

A spectacle prescription may therefore contain correction for both myopia and astigmatism.

Accurate assessment of both components is important when determining an appropriate spectacle prescription.

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How Are Spectacles Used to Correct Myopia?

Myopia is commonly corrected using minus-powered spectacle lenses.

These lenses alter the path of incoming light so that the optical system of the eye can form a clearer image on the retina.

The appropriate spectacle correction depends on the individual's prescription and visual requirements.

For many people with straightforward myopia, conventional single-vision spectacle lenses provide clear and comfortable vision.

However, the finished spectacle involves more than the prescription alone.

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Why Lens Selection Still Matters

Two pairs of spectacles with the same prescription do not necessarily have to be identical.

Depending on the prescription, factors that may influence the finished spectacles include:

• Lens material

• Refractive index

• Lens design

• Lens thickness

• Optical centration

• Frame size and shape

• Frame positioning

• Anti-reflective coating

• The wearer's visual requirements

These considerations become increasingly important with stronger prescriptions.

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High Myopia and Spectacle Lenses

Higher myopic prescriptions can present additional challenges when selecting spectacles.

As minus lens power increases, lenses can become thicker towards the edges.

Frame and lens choices can therefore influence the appearance, weight and optical performance of the finished spectacles.

For higher myopic prescriptions, consideration may be given to factors such as:

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Frame Size

A suitably sized frame can help manage lens thickness.

Very large frames may require a larger lens diameter, which can increase edge thickness in higher minus prescriptions.

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Frame Shape

The relationship between the frame shape, pupil position and required lens diameter can influence the finished lens.

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Lens Material

Higher-index lens materials may be considered for stronger prescriptions to help manage lens thickness.

However, the highest index is not automatically the best choice for every person or prescription.

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Lens Design

Appropriate lens design may help optimise optical performance and cosmetic appearance.

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Myopia in Children

Myopia commonly develops during childhood and may increase as a child grows.

Children with myopia may:

• Move closer to screens

• Sit closer to the television

• Have difficulty seeing the classroom board

• Squint when looking into the distance

• Hold objects closer

• Mention that distant objects are blurry

Because children may not recognise that their vision has changed, regular professional eye examinations are important.

Parents concerned about the onset or progression of myopia should discuss appropriate assessment and management options with a qualified eye-care professional.

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Myopia Progression

A child's myopia may increase over time as the eye grows.

The rate of progression differs between individuals.

Family history, age of onset and environmental factors can all be relevant.

Current myopia-management approaches may include specially designed spectacle lenses, contact lenses and other strategies depending on the individual's age, eye health and professional assessment.

Myopia management should be recommended and monitored by an appropriately qualified eye-care professional.

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Why Is High Myopia Important?

High myopia is more than simply requiring stronger spectacle lenses.

Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of certain eye-health problems.

For this reason, people with high myopia should maintain appropriate regular eye-health examinations with a qualified eye-care professional.

Spectacles can correct the refractive blur caused by myopia, but they do not eliminate eye-health risks associated with high myopia.

Seek prompt professional assessment for symptoms such as:

• Sudden flashes of light

• A sudden increase in floaters

• A curtain or shadow appearing across your vision

• Sudden loss or significant change of vision

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How Eye Zen Optical Approaches Myopic Spectacle Prescriptions

At Eye Zen Optical, our aim is not simply to select a lens based on the prescription number.

We consider how the complete pair of spectacles will work for you.

Depending on your prescription and visual requirements, we may consider:

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Your Prescription

We assess the refractive correction required and consider differences between your two eyes where relevant.

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Your Previous Spectacles

Your existing spectacles and previous prescription can provide useful information, particularly when there has been a significant prescription change or difficulty adapting to new glasses.

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Your Lifestyle

Someone who spends most of the day working on a computer may have different visual requirements from someone who drives extensively or regularly performs detailed near work.

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Your Frame

For stronger myopic prescriptions, frame size, shape and fit can have a significant influence on the finished spectacles.

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Your Lens Selection

Lens material, design and other optical characteristics can be considered according to the prescription and individual requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is myopia the same as short-sightedness?

Yes.

Myopia is commonly called short-sightedness or near-sightedness.

People with myopia generally see near objects more clearly than distant objects without correction.

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Does myopia mean my eyes are weak?

No.

Myopia is a refractive condition involving how the eye focuses light.

It should not simply be described as having “weak eyes.”

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Can myopia get worse?

Yes.

Myopia can change over time and commonly progresses during childhood and adolescence, although the pattern varies between individuals.

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Can adults develop myopia?

Yes.

Although myopia often develops during childhood, refractive changes can also occur in adults.

New or unexpected changes in vision should be appropriately assessed.

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Do I need to wear my glasses all the time?

That depends on your prescription, age and visual requirements.

Someone with mild myopia may use spectacles mainly for distance tasks, while someone with stronger myopia may prefer or require correction throughout most of the day.

Follow the advice provided by your eye-care professional.

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Why are my high-myopia lenses so thick?

Minus-powered spectacle lenses are generally thicker towards their edges.

As the prescription becomes stronger, frame size, frame shape, lens material, lens design and pupil position can significantly influence the final edge thickness.

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Are the thinnest lenses always the best?

Not necessarily.

Lens thickness is only one consideration.

Optical properties, lens design, prescription, frame selection, weight, appearance and individual requirements should all be considered when selecting an appropriate lens.

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Can I have myopia and astigmatism together?

Yes.

It is very common for a spectacle prescription to contain both myopia and astigmatism correction.

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Can one eye be much more myopic than the other?

Yes.

A significant prescription difference between the two eyes is known as anisometropia.

In some individuals, a large difference can make spectacle adaptation and comfortable binocular vision more challenging.

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Personalised Myopia Spectacle Solutions in Singapore

Whether you have mild myopia, a changing prescription, high myopia or significantly different prescriptions between your two eyes, the appropriate spectacles should provide more than clear letters on an eye chart.

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At Eye Zen Optical, we consider:

your prescription + your eyes + your lenses + your frame + your visual requirements

to provide a personalised spectacle solution.

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For straightforward prescriptions, this means providing accurate, comfortable vision.

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For more complex prescriptions, additional consideration may be given to lens design, frame selection, optical positioning and how the two eyes work together.

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Eye Zen Optical
71 Kallang Bahru #01-529D
Singapore 330071

WhatsApp / Call: +65 8048 8379

Book a consultation with Eye Zen Optical to discuss your visual concerns.