A website aimed at teenagers has highlighted the problems of having myopia while still a child.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) site described myopia as the ability to see things close-up, but not objects at a distance.
It is caused when the shape of the eye itself is slightly longer than normal, which means it cannot focus light from objects at a distance onto the retina.
A feature of myopia is blurred vision when trying to focus on faraway objects and the condition can be inherited.
People with myopia may also experience headaches, tiredness or eyestrain.
It is usually treated with a prescription for glasses or contact lenses, which will help the eye to focus clearly and stop all these symptoms.
While laser eye surgery is growing in popularity, the RNIB notes that it is never performed in children.
"Even as an adult, laser treatment is not always possible and can be risky," it concludes.
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