Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or short-sightedness, is a common eye condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. This happens because light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The cause is usually an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that is too curved, which affects how light is focused inside the eye. Myopia often starts in childhood and tends to progress as the eye grows. It can be diagnosed with an eye exam and is commonly corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery like LASIK. Severe myopia can increase the risk of other eye conditions such as retinal detachment and glaucoma. Myopia is widespread globally, affecting about 22% of the world’s population, and its prevalence has been increasing, particularly among children, partly due to more screen time and less outdoor activity. In short, myopia is a refractive error causing difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, but nearby objects remain in focus. Corrective lenses or surgery help to adjust the focus and improve vision.