I am very nearsighted causing distant objects to appear blurry!
So am I!!! Do you wear glasses?
I do.  The underlying cause is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental facts.  I have 3 siblings who also wear glasses for nearsightedness.
That makes sense.  When was this discovered?
I'm not certain but nearsightedness also increases the risk of retinal detachment, cataracts and glaucoma.
Those seem serious.  What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve.
Is it curable? 
There are treatments, but vision loss once it has occurred is permanent.
This is terrible.  I hope modern medicine can find a solution!