​Myopia

Myopia or near-sightedness is a common eye disorder, whereby closer objects can be seen clearly but those further away appear blurry. Excessive curvature of the cornea (the front part of the eye covering the iris and the pupil) or an elongated eyeball cause light to focus improperly on the retina, leading to this eye disorder.

Myopia is a common eye disorder and is more common among school-age children. It can also develop in adults, with visual stress of close work – such as extensive computer use – and disorders such as diabetes putting you at higher risk of developing near-sightedness. A family history of this disorder also puts you at a higher risk.

While myopia is not a serious eye disorder and can be corrected with the help of prescription eye glasses and lenses, if left untreated, it can severely impact your quality of life, create a safety hazard, especially when driving, and lead to excessive straining of the eyes and headaches.


The most common complaint of myopia is not being able to see objects at a distance. Your child may report an inability to see the television clearly, or difficulty reading up a chalkboard. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Difficulty reading or seeing distant objects, such as road signs or sign boards

  • Squinting and straining of the eyes, which can lead to headaches

  • Feeling fatigued in activities that involve looking at distant objects, such as playing football or driving

  • Difficulty in driving

  • Your child may sit closer to the television

  • Blinking excessively

  • Excessive rubbing or blinking of eyes

These symptoms may worsen in children as they reach teenage, after which there may be little change.​


Difficulty seeing objects at a distance should not be ignored. If you or your child has been facing the above symptoms and that has affected your normal daily activities, you must consult an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) at The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital of Pakistan.

Sudden onset of flashes or floaters in your vision is also a warning sign and must not be ignored as it could indicate a serious complication.​
Your time with your doctor may be limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started. ​
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Your medical history, in which you will discuss and describe your symptoms to your doctor, will help form an initial diagnosis for myopia. Thereafter, eye examinations will help further check for myopia.

Your doctor will carry out a vision acuity test with the help of an eye chart to check for near-sightedness. A dilation exam may also be used to check for refractive errors. Special instruments – retinoscope and phoropter – also help test your vision, for which you will have to look through different lenses. ​

Myopia can be managed with the help of prescription glasses and contact lenses. Many different varieties of contact lenses are now available, which you can discuss with your doctor.

Other procedures to improve the refractive error may also be suggested, such as:

  • Use of laser technology to help reshape the cornea (LASEK and LASIK)

  • PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) to help the cornea regrow with an improved shape

  • In exceptional cases, lenses may be implanted into your eyes, a procedure known as IOL (Intraocular Lens) implant

You must discuss the potential risks and complications of all these procedures against possible benefits with your eye doctor.

The Eye and ENT service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital is fully equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of myopia. Rest assured that you will receive multidisciplinary healthcare under one roof from our dedicated team. Discuss your symptoms in complete confidence with your doctor to help reach an accurate diagnosis and get personalized treatment and care.​


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The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.
 
The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.
 
The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​
Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage. ​

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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.