1. Vision Blurred at a Distance
People who suffer from nearsightedness often have difficulty resolving shapes, letters or other information at a distance. This is usually caused by a change in the shape of the lens and/or cornea or of the eyeball itself. People who experience nearsightedness often have trouble discerning handwriting on blackboards, information flashed across movie screens and so forth.
2. Poor/Decreased Performance in School or Athletics
Students who suffer from nearsightedness may pull away from traditional scholarly and athletic pursuits simply because they can't see well enough to participate. If a child, for instance, suddenly stops performing well in his favorite subject, it may be time to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Similarly, if your daughter was once the captain of her softball team and she now no longer even wants to go to practice, an incipient nearsightedness may be playing an active role in her new distaste for the sport.
3. Behavioral Cues Which Indicate Potential Nearsightedness
If a person squints, holds books close to her face or grimaces or frowns an unusual amount, nearsightedness may be playing a role. Similarly, if someone frequently sits close to television and computer monitors or selects the front row in movie theaters, nearsightedness may be suspect.
4. Frequent Headaches
People with myopia often get headaches from trying to resolve their eyes' focal problems unconsciously or subconsciously. This constant shifting of focus back and forth can strain the eyes and lead to headaches as well as feelings of irritability and even depression.
5. Examine the Shape of the Eyeball (Eyeballs)
While most cases of nearsightedness (a.k.a. myopia) stem from the eyeball changing shape to an ovoid and thus refocusing light that comes into the retina, a detailed observation of the eyeball can help determine whether other, less common causes may be at work. For instance, general eyeball growth, cataracts and a host of other eye conditions may mimic the symptoms of nearsightedness. Given the number of possible diagnoses, it is critical that people suffering from the symptoms of nearsightedness get a professional medical evaluation.
