Final answer:
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is characterized by difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, which appear blurry, while close objects are clear. It can also cause eye strain and fatigue. Myopia is often corrected with diverging lenses and commonly develops in school-age children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Nearsightedness (Myopia)
The symptoms of nearsightedness, or myopia, include a difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly. Common signs that someone may be nearsighted include the inability to see distant objects such as a movie screen or the whiteboard in a classroom without them appearing blurry.
Additionally, individuals may experience eye strain and fatigue from trying to focus on far objects. Nearsightedness is often corrected with a diverging lens to reduce the optical power of the eye and allow the image to properly focus on the retina.
Generally, myopia first occurs in school-age children and may progress until about age 20. There is evidence that it can be inherited, and nearsightedness may also develop in adults due to visual stress or health conditions like diabetes.