nearsightedness

noun

near·​sight·​ed·​ness ˈnir-ˌsī-təd-nəs 

: a condition in which the visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye resulting especially in defective vision of distant objects : myopia sense 1

Myopia (nearsightedness) results when incoming light from distant objects focuses in front of the retina, usually because the eye-ball is elongated. Close vision is fine, but distance vision is poor.

—Consumer Reports

… people who suffer from extreme nearsightedness, whose world loses its crisp edge just a few inches from their noses.

—Diedtra Henderson

A tiny laser beam programmed by computer vaporizes tissue to reshape the cornea, correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism in many cases.

—Michael Precker

Examples of nearsightedness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the future, simple eyedrops could be used to delay the onset of nearsightedness in children, which in turn can reduce those risks, Walline said. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

In the study, researchers tested the EMR process on 12 separate rabbit eyeballs, reshaping 10 of them to mimic the corrective effect required for nearsightedness (myopia). —New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2025

Photo-Illustration by Newsweek/Getty Although prolonged screen usage isn't directly linked to a higher risk of serious eye conditions, it's increasingly associated with higher rates of myopia, or nearsightedness. —Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

Many people with astigmatism have nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).1 LASIK, a laser eye surgery that corrects common vision problems by reshaping the cornea, may help treat people with mild to moderate astigmatism. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nearsightedness

• shortsightedness

Medical Definition

nearsightedness

noun

near·​sight·​ed·​ness

: myopia