An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A vision defect commonly referred to as nearsightedness. The defective condition results when the image of a distant object is focused in front of the retina by the relaxed eye. It can be corrected by introducing a negative lens in front of the eye.

Etymology (EN): L., from Gk. myopia “near-sightedness,” from myops “near-sighted,” from myein “to shut” + ops (genitive opos) “eye.”

Etymology (PE): Nazdikbini, noun from nazdikbin “near-sighted,” from nazdik “near,” from nazd “near” + -ik, → -ic (Mid.Pers. nazd, nazdik; Av. nas- “to come near, approach, reach,” nazdišta- “nearest, next,” nazdyo “nearer to;” cf. Skt. nas- “to approach, to reach”)

• bin “to see; seer” (present stem of didan;
  Mid.Pers. wyn-; O.Pers. vain- “to see;” Av. vaēn- “to see;”
  Skt. veda “I know;” Gk. oida “I know,” idein “to see;” L. videre “to see;” PIE base *weid- “to know, to see”).