Can Myopia Lead to Other Eye Conditions?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision problems worldwide. While glasses and contact lenses correct blurry distance vision, many people don’t realize that untreated or progressing myopia can increase the risk of developing other serious eye conditions later in life. Understanding these risks and the importance of myopia control treatment can help protect your long-term vision.

How Myopia Affects the Eyes

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This structural change doesn’t just affect how clearly you see - it can also strain the eye and make it more vulnerable to complications over time.

Eye Conditions Linked to Myopia

Research has shown that people with moderate to high myopia are more likely to develop certain eye diseases, including:

• Retinal Detachment: The elongated shape of a myopic eye can stretch and thin the retina, making it more prone to tears and detachment - a potentially vision-threatening emergency.

• Glaucoma: People with myopia have a higher risk of developing glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected early.

• Cataracts: Myopia may accelerate cataract development, leading to clouded vision earlier in life compared to those without myopia.

• Myopic Maculopathy: In severe cases, the central retina (macula) can degenerate due to the stretching of the eye, leading to distorted or lost central vision.

The Importance of Myopia Control Treatment

The good news is that myopia progression can often be slowed with modern treatment options. Myopia control therapies such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, atropine eye drops, and specially designed soft contact lenses can help reduce the rate of eye elongation in children and teens. By keeping myopia at lower levels, these treatments lower the lifetime risk of serious complications.

At Eye Smile Optometry & Dental Care, we take a proactive approach to managing myopia. Through comprehensive exams and personalized treatment plans, we help protect your vision now and for years to come.

Safeguard Your Family’s Vision at Eye Smile Optometry & Dental Care

Myopia is a condition that can raise your risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life. That’s why early detection and myopia control treatment are so important, especially for children whose eyes are still developing.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Eye Smile Optometry & Dental Care to learn more about myopia control options and protect your family’s vision for the future. Visit our office in Arlington, Virginia, or call (571) 441-0041 to book an appointment today.