The ophthalmologist said that I had a long eye. What does that mean?

Question

The ophthalmologist said that I had a long eye. What does that mean?

Answer 1

It most likely means that you are nearsighted.  People who are nearsighted tend to have a longer eye, forcing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.  Glasses or contact lenses move the focus of the light back onto the retina, resulting in clear vision.  

By having a longer eye ball, people who have a good deal of nearsightedness are at a slightly higher risk for a retinal tear or detachment, due to the stretching the retina experiences for the increased length.