What type of lens is prescribed for a patient with myopia?

For a patient with myopia, or nearsightedness, a concave lens is the appropriate prescription. Myopia occurs when light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina, making distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly.

Concave lenses are designed to diverge light rays so that they extend the focal length further back to the retina. This adjustment allows distant objects to be focused properly on the retina, improving the clarity of vision for those specific distances.

In contrast, convex lenses are used to correct hyperopia (farsightedness), which involves a different optical adjustment. Cylindrical lenses are designed for astigmatism to correct for blurred vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. Bifocal lenses combine two different focal powers for distance and near vision but are not specifically designated for myopia. Therefore, a concave lens is the correct choice for the management of myopia.