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

More than 40% of Americans are estimated to have myopia, also known as nearsightedness. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024

And that's important, because the number of kids with nearsightedness – or myopia – has been growing rapidly in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 13 May 2024

According to Harris’ medical report from Joshua R. Simmons, the physician to the vice president, the Democratic nominee has a medical history of seasonal allergies and a mild case of nearsightedness that requires her to wear contact lenses. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024

The physician also stated that Harris wears contact lenses for mild nearsightedness and disclosed her family history including maternal colon cancer. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nearsightedness

noun

near·​sight·​ed·​ness

: myopia