Myopia
In myopia, or nearsightedness, the eye is generally longer or the cornea has a steeper curve. This makes far-away objects appear blurry because they are focused in front of the retina. Myopia affects over 25 percent of all adult Americans.
Patients with myopia can hold objects close to see them more clearly when they are not wearing their glasses. During refractive surgery, the cornea is flattened to allow the image to focus on the retina.