Retinal risks in high myopia: Cataract and retina surgeon explains causes, symptoms, and eye care tips

From retinal detachment to macular degeneration, severe myopia carries risks you shouldn’t ignore (Image: Pexels)

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is a common eye condition that makes distant objects appear blurred. Mild to moderate forms of myopia can be corrected using glasses or contact lenses, but high myopia is an entirely different story. Defined as -6.00 diopters or greater, high myopia occurs when the eyeball elongates to stretch the retina — the part of the eye that perceives light — and is so elongated that it becomes fragile, more fragile than a healthy eyeball, which raises risk for problems.

The threat is not only your acquiring stronger glasses, but that you could damage your retina and lose vision permanently. High myopes are also at greater risk of retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration as well as lattice degeneration, and even macular holes.

Dr Pawan Gupta, Senior Cataract & Retina Surgeon, Eye 7 Hospital Lajpat Nagar & Vision Eye Clinic New Delhi, tells Moneycontrol that preventive care, early diagnosis and vigilant monitoring are all key for people with high myopia. “With good surveillance of the eye, advanced imaging, and recognition of warning signs, many threats to sight can be arrested or managed,” he says.

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Retinal Detachment

With high myopes, the retina is stretched and becomes thinned out, making it fragile and more easily torn or punctured. One kind of damage that might result is retinal detachment, which can happen without any injury at all occasionally just from looking around. Warning signs can include a sudden flash of light, new floaters or a curtain-like shadow over vision. The reason to pay immediate medical attention is to save sight.

Myopic Macular Degeneration (MMD)

This progressive disease occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and destroy the macula — which is responsible for sharp central vision. Distortion or blurring can be noticed in the central vision, with difficulty remaining reading and face recognition. MMD, when untreated, can severely impact independence and quality of life.

Myopic Degeneration and Retinoschisis

Eventually the retina can become so thin that it loses its function—what’s called myopic degeneration. Separated retinal layers start to develop in some people – called myopic retinoschisis. One of the risks to this particular anomaly is a myopic macular hole where the macula has a hole, which causes a loss of fine vision.

Lattice Degeneration

Lattice degeneration, peripheral thinning of the retina, can also form in high myopes. Most of the time it is asymptomatic and predisposes to retinal tears. Lattice degeneration can be detected in the early stages with regular dilated eye examinations and treated prophylactically, before it forms a retinal hole and subsequently a detachment.

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Preventive Care and Lifestyle Precautions

A comprehensive eye examination including dilated retinal evaluation should be performed annually for high myopes. Cutting back on sudden jerky head movements and avoiding high-impact activities can also help you prevent a retinal tear. Although no curative treatment is available, the best defense for vision to date implies early recognition and prompt treatment.

FAQs on Retinal Risks in High Myopia

Q: What is high myopia?
A: High myopia is defined as -6.00 diopters or greater, occurring when the eyeball elongates and stretches the retina, making it fragile.

Q: What are the risks associated with high myopia?
A: High myopia increases the risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, lattice degeneration, and macular holes.

Q: How can I prevent retinal risks if I have high myopia?
A: Preventive care includes annual comprehensive eye examinations, reducing sudden jerky head movements, avoiding high-impact activities, and early recognition and prompt treatment of warning signs.

Q: What are the warning signs of retinal detachment?
A: Sudden flashes of light, new floaters, or a curtain-like shadow over vision are warning signs of retinal detachment. Immediate medical attention is necessary.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.