Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors worldwide, affecting millions of people—especially children and young adults. This condition causes difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, which can interfere with learning, work, and daily activities. Myopia may worsen over time if not properly diagnosed and managed. So, what exactly is myopia, what causes it, can it be completely cured, and how can you prevent its progression? This article provides comprehensive information about myopia, including its symptoms, severity levels, and care and prevention tips.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is a refractive error where close objects appear clear but distant objects look blurry. It occurs when the eyeball is longer than normal or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia usually develops during school age and may progress if not properly monitored and corrected.

People with myopia often struggle to see the board in class, drive safely, or observe distant objects. While it does not cause pain, myopia can significantly affect quality of life without proper correction using glasses, contact lenses, or advanced treatments such as refractive correction.

>> For those considering vision correction options, our contact lens prescription guide covers the benefits, fitting process, and proper care to help manage myopia effectively.

Causes and Symptoms of Myopia

Myopia primarily results from structural abnormalities in the eye. When the eyeball is too long or the cornea overly curved, light rays do not focus properly on the retina, causing distant images to appear blurry. Besides genetic and hereditary factors, common causes include:

• Prolonged close-up activities such as reading, using smartphones, or computers
• Insufficient lighting during study or work
• Inadequate rest for the eyes
• Lack of outdoor physical activity, especially in children

Typical symptoms of myopia include:

• Blurred vision when looking at distant objects
• Squinting to see more clearly
• Headaches and eye strain after prolonged study or work
• Children sitting too close to screens or leaning very close to books while writing

Early detection of these signs helps timely correction and prevents serious complications.

Myopia Severity Levels and Treatment Methods

Myopia Severity Levels

Myopia is classified based on the diopter (D) strength needed for clear vision. Correct classification helps eye doctors choose the most suitable treatment and reduce complications:

• Mild Myopia (under -3.00 D)
  Patients have minor difficulty seeing distant objects, especially in low light. This stage is usually easily managed with glasses or contact lenses.
• Moderate Myopia (-3.00 to -6.00 D)
  Distance vision is more noticeably affected. Without proper correction, symptoms like eye strain and headaches may occur, impacting study or work performance.
• High Myopia (over -6.00 D)
  Patients cannot see distant objects clearly without glasses. High myopia carries higher risks of retinal degeneration, retinal detachment, and glaucoma.

>> In addition to managing nearsightedness, it’s crucial to understand serious eye conditions like glaucoma and how timely treatments can protect your long-term vision.

Common Myopia Treatments

• Eyeglasses: The simplest, safest, and most common correction method
• Contact lenses: Aesthetic and suitable for those who prefer not to wear glasses
• Refractive laser treatments (LASIK, ReLEx SMILE): Modern methods providing long-term vision improvement (for eligible patients)
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: Rigid overnight contact lenses that slow myopia progression in children and teens
• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
  Clinically proven to help slow the progression of myopia in children, especially when combined with lifestyle changes and regular monitoring.

Choosing the right treatment should always be guided by an eye specialist after a thorough eye exam and refraction test.

Understanding the Myopia Diagnosis Code (ICD-10 H52.1)

If you’ve ever had an eye exam and been told you have myopia (also called nearsightedness), you might have seen the code H52.1 on your medical record or insurance form. This code is part of the ICD-10 system, which is used by doctors all over the world to classify and record medical conditions.

In simple terms, ICD-10 code H52.1 is the official code for myopia. Knowing this code can help you understand your diagnosis better and make sense of your medical documents, especially if you’re dealing with insurance or planning for eye care treatment.

What Is the Myopia Diagnosis Code (H52.1)?

The myopia diagnosis code H52.1 is a part of the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), used to identify nearsightedness. Myopia is a common vision problem where distant objects appear blurry while close objects remain clear.

Doctors, clinics, and insurance companies use this code to document your condition accurately. It doesn’t say how strong your glasses need to be — just that you have myopia.

ICD-10 Guide for Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, or myopia, affects millions of people worldwide. The ICD-10 code H52.1 is used in medical records to represent this condition. If you’re filling out insurance forms or reviewing your health history, seeing this code simply means you’ve been diagnosed with myopia.

Understanding your ICD-10 code helps you take control of your eye health. It can also make communication easier between you and your doctor, especially if you’re planning treatment like glasses, contact lenses, or refractive correction.

Can Myopia Be Completely Cured?

Currently, myopia cannot be completely cured naturally because it is a refractive error caused by anatomical changes in the eye—specifically, an eyeball that is longer than normal or an excessively curved cornea. However, thanks to advances in medicine, there are many effective treatments that can correct and significantly improve vision, allowing people to live and work normally without relying entirely on glasses.

Treatments That Can Reduce or Eliminate the Need for Glasses:

• Laser Refractive Surgery (LASIK, ReLEx SMILE, PRK): These procedures reshape the cornea to improve vision quickly. They are suitable for adults with stable myopia.
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: Special rigid contact lenses worn overnight that temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses. Ideal for children and those not eligible for surgery.
• Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL): For patients with very high myopia who cannot undergo laser surgery.

Despite these advanced options, myopia cannot “heal itself,” and there remains a risk of myopia progression or recurrence without proper eye care. Therefore, early myopia control and regular monitoring by an eye specialist are essential.

Complications of Untreated Myopia

If not detected and corrected early, myopia can lead to serious, long-term vision problems. Especially in children, rapidly progressing myopia can cause permanent eye damage. Common complications include:

• Rapid progression of myopia: Continuous eye strain can worsen myopia, especially during childhood and adolescence growth phases.
• Reduced learning and work performance: Difficulty seeing the board, screen, or while driving can negatively impact productivity and safety.
• Strabismus or amblyopia in children: Without proper correction, children risk developing crossed eyes or “lazy eye” (underdeveloped vision in one eye).
• Retinal degeneration or detachment: Common in high myopia, increasing the risk of permanent vision loss if untreated.
• Glaucoma and early cataracts: Highly myopic eyes are structurally vulnerable to diseases like glaucoma or early cataract formation.
• Regular eye exams and proper myopia correction can effectively prevent these serious complications and protect vision long-term.

How to Prevent Myopia Progression in Children

Myopia in children is increasing worldwide, especially with more screen time and indoor study habits. Early detection and timely preventive measures help slow progression and protect lifelong vision. Effective prevention tips include:

• Encourage regular eye breaks
  After every 20 minutes of near work (reading or screen time), let children look at distant objects for at least 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.
• Increase outdoor activity
  Studies show that spending at least 2 hours a day outdoors under natural light lowers myopia risk. Encourage sports, walking, or outdoor play daily.
• Maintain proper reading distance
  Teach children to keep a comfortable distance of 30–40 cm between eyes and books or screens. Ensure adequate lighting without glare.
• Regular eye check-ups
  Take children for eye exams from an early age to detect myopia signs early and intervene promptly to reduce rapid progression.
• Use prescription glasses with myopia control lenses when needed
  If a child shows signs of myopia, wearing prescription glasses fitted with specialty myopia control lenses—such as MyCon from Rodenstock—can help improve vision and slow down myopia progression effectively.
• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
  Clinically proven to help slow the progression of myopia in children, especially when combined with lifestyle changes and regular monitoring.
• Avoid bad habits
  Discourage reading or screen use in poor lighting and sitting too close to screens.

By combining these practices, parents can help their children effectively manage myopia and prevent severe progression over time.

Myopia and Genetic Factors

Genetic factors play a crucial role in the development and progression of myopia (nearsightedness). Many studies have shown that myopia can be inherited from parents to children, especially when both parents are myopic. However, genetics is only one part of the picture. Environmental factors and lifestyle habits also significantly influence the development of this refractive error.

How is Myopia Inherited?

• If parents have myopia: Children have a higher risk of developing myopia. When both parents are myopic, the risk can be as high as 50-70%. Children may be born with myopia or develop it during their school years.
• Inheritance from previous generations: If grandparents or other family members have myopia, children are more likely to inherit the genetic predisposition for myopia.

The Role of Environment and Lifestyle

Although genetic factors increase the risk of myopia, environmental factors and habits can either accelerate or slow the progression. Children who spend more time outdoors exposed to natural light, participate in outdoor activities, and maintain healthy study habits have a lower risk of developing severe myopia.

Preventing Myopia in Children with Genetic Risk

While genetic predisposition cannot be changed, preventive measures can reduce the risk and progression of myopia, such as:

• Allowing regular eye breaks
• Limiting prolonged use of electronic devices
• Maintaining proper study habits and posture
• These habits help control the progression of myopia in children with a genetic predisposition.

Eye Care for Individuals with Myopia

Myopia is a common refractive error that does not cause pain but, if left unmanaged, can lead to long-term vision problems. Proper eye care is essential to maintain and protect vision and prevent complications. Here are some useful tips for effective myopia management:

• Wear the correct prescription glasses and maintain them
  Wearing properly prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses is the simplest way to improve vision and reduce eye strain. Keep lenses clean and free from scratches. Follow hygiene guidelines strictly if using contact lenses to avoid infections.
• Take regular eye breaks
  When studying or working for long periods, especially with electronic devices, rest your eyes regularly. The 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds) helps reduce eye fatigue and strain.
• Adjust lighting for studying and working
  Ensure sufficient lighting, avoid direct glare, and do not work in poorly lit environments. Too much or too little light can cause eye strain and worsen myopia.
• Perform simple eye exercises
  Exercises like looking left and right, up and down, or rotating your eyes help relax eye muscles and improve blood circulation.
• Maintain a balanced diet for eye health
  Eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, omega-3 fatty acids (from fish), and lutein (from green leafy vegetables), which support eye health. Avoid excessive unhealthy fats and sugar.
• Regular eye exams
  Regardless of wearing glasses, regular eye check-ups are important to monitor vision changes and update prescriptions promptly. If experiencing eye strain, headaches, or any vision issues, seek professional eye care immediately.

Proper eye care helps maintain vision, reduce the risk of myopia-related complications, and ensure long-term eye health.

>> Discover more articles about eye disease treatments regularly updated by the specialist doctors team at the European Eye Center.

Frequently Asked Questions About Myopia

Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the most common refractive errors, and many people have questions about how to manage, treat, and prevent it. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you better understand myopia:

1. Can myopia be cured?
   Myopia cannot be completely cured through natural methods. However, various treatment options such as prescription glasses, refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE), and orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses can significantly improve vision and reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses in daily life.
2. Is myopia hereditary?
   Yes, myopia can be inherited from parents. If both parents are myopic, the child has a higher risk of developing myopia. That said, environmental factors like study habits and exposure to natural light also play an important role in the development of myopia.
3. How can myopia be prevented in children?
   To prevent or slow the progression of myopia in children, it’s important to: Encourage regular eye breaks, Increase time spent outdoors, Maintain a proper reading distance and posture, Schedule routine eye exams to detect early changes and intervene promptly.
   
4. Does myopia affect driving ability?
   Myopia can impact driving, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses helps ensure clear vision and safe driving.
5. Can myopia be treated with surgery?
   Yes, several types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK, PRK, and ReLEx SMILE, can correct myopia and improve visual acuity. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for surgery, so it’s important to consult an eye specialist for a thorough evaluation.
6. Can myopia increase the risk of other eye conditions?
   Yes, unmanaged or high myopia can raise the risk of serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts. Regular eye check-ups and early treatment are essential to reduce these risks and protect long-term vision.