Visual Acuity and Myopic Near Point

Myopia, colloquially referred to as near sightedness, is commonly explained as a reduced ability to discern objects at a distance, this is actually only a partial explanation. The near point of an observer with myopia permits superior visual acuity of small features and details when viewed at a short distance with the unaided eye.
Common visual acuity tests, such as the Snellen eye chart, do not directly address the ability to view small objects with the unaided eye. The myopic eye can view small details of handwriting and certain document features such as microprinting at a close distance without the use of magnifiers.

An overview of myopia is provided along with an explanation of common visual acuity eye charts,near point and corrective lenses prescriptions.