Myopia affects 26% of the non-Asian population. (Note: Myopia occurs at a much higher rate in the Asian population.) It is a condition in which you have difficulties seeing objects in the distance, but may not have problems focusing on objects close up. When the eyeball is too long or the cornea too steep, myopia is the result. Light enters a myopic (long) eyeball and is focused on the front of the retina, instead of directly on the retina for normal vision.

Symptoms and correction
Symptoms of myopia include eyestrain, blurred vision or headaches. Doctors prescribe "negative" or concave corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contact lenses) for this condition. Laser vision procedures can also surgically treat myopia.