High Myopia  (Nearsightedness)

Myopia Magna, also known as "high myopia", "progressive myopia", and "pathological myopia", refers to a severe form of nearsightedness where distant objects are difficult to see. It is caused by excessive elongation of the eyeball.

Myopia Magna can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or, in some cases, surgery. Read on to discover the full high myopia definition and more.

What is High Myopia?

Myopia Magna is a progressive form of myopia (nearsightedness) of -6 diopters or more. Distant objects appear blurry due to a significant elongation of the eyeball. The light rays entering the eye are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, leading to decreased visual acuity. Higher myopia levels increase the risk of developing other eye conditions.

Unlike simple myopia, Myopia Magna is characterised by excessive stretching of the eyeball. While mild to moderate myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, Myopia Magna often requires more comprehensive treatment. In many cases, surgery is needed to improve visual performance and minimise potential complications.

Early detection and regular eye examinations are crucial for managing the effects of Myopia Magna and preventing long-term vision problems.

What Are The Causes of High Myopia?

The development of Myopia Magna is due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and anatomical factors.

Genetics

Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in the development of Myopia Magna. If a child has one parent with high myopia, the risk of becoming myopic triples. If both parents are myopic, the risk increases sixfold.

Environment and Lifestyle

Environmental factors can also play a role. Studies suggest that prolonged reading, intensive screen use, and insufficient outdoor activities during childhood can increase the risk of Myopia Magna. A lack of daylight and increased near work can affect the normal growth of the eyeball.

Eye Anatomy and Eye Growth

The anatomical structure of the eye is a key factor in the development of severe myopia. The cornea reaches its final shape by the age of two. In Myopia Magna, there is an excessive elongation of the eyeball. This unnatural growth of the eyeball can no longer be optically compensated by the cornea. This contributes to a deterioration of distance vision.

What Are the Symptoms of Myopia Magna?

Myopia Magna presents a variety of symptoms indicating progressive nearsightedness and can cause different visual disturbances.

Severe Blurred Distance Vision

A hallmark of Myopia Magna is severely blurred distance vision. Everyday activities such as recognizing street signs, faces of people in the distance, or reading board texts become increasingly difficult.

Lack of Visual Acuity

Lack of visual acuity is a characteristic sign of Myopia Magna. Often, the ability to see clear details in the distance remains severely limited despite visual aids such as glasses or contact lenses. Fine details may appear blurry, affecting overall visual performance.

Retinal Spots

The elongation of the eyeball in Myopia Magna can cause tension on the retina. This can lead to spots on the retina. These changes can impair vision and indicate more serious problems like retinal detachment.

Difficulty Focusing

People with Myopia Magna may have difficulty adjusting their vision between near and distant objects (accommodation). This can lead to discomfort when transitioning between different viewing distances, quickly affecting daily activities.

Increased Risk of Eye Diseases

People with Myopia Magna are often more susceptible to glare from bright light. This can impair vision in sunny weather or at night and affect daily activities under different lighting conditions.

How Is Myopia Magna Examined and Diagnosed?

The examination and diagnosis of Myopia Magna require a thorough assessment of eye health to determine the severity of progressive myopia.

If you are wondering how fast does high myopia macular degeneration progress it is best to speak to a medical professional. In a routine eye examination, visual acuity is first measured with a vision test. If Myopia Magna is suspected, additional tests may be conducted:

Refraction Test

A refraction test is performed to determine how well the eye can focus light rays (refractive power). The person looks through various lenses while the doctor analyses the refraction of light to determine the exact visual acuity.

Fundus Examination

A fundus examination with various devices allows the ophthalmologist to assess the retina and look for signs of changes or damage associated with Myopia Magna.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

OCT is an advanced imaging technique that provides cross-sectional images of the retina. It can help detect structural changes or anomalies that may occur in Myopia Magna.

Measurement of Eye Length Growth

Measuring eye length growth plays a crucial role in identifying risk factors and early detection of Myopia Magna development. By measuring the length of the eyeball, ophthalmologists can assess the degree of elongation.

Pupil Dilation

Pupil dilation is a diagnostic procedure that plays an important role in the examination of Myopia Magna. This technique uses special eye drops to temporarily dilate the pupil, allowing the ophthalmologist a better view of the fundus and retina.

Automated Perimetry

Automated perimetry is an important diagnostic method for assessing Myopia Magna. It is a procedure for measuring the peripheral visual field. During automated perimetry, the patient is asked to look at a central fixation point while light points or flashes appear in different areas of the visual field. The patient must indicate when these light stimuli are noticed. This way, the ophthalmologist can get a detailed picture of how well the patient perceives objects or light stimuli in their visual field.

What Complications Can Occur with Myopia Magna?

Myopia Magna can lead to a number of potentially serious eye complications that require careful monitoring and treatment.

Retinal Detachment

One of the most serious complications is retinal detachment. The strong stretching of the eyeball in Myopia Magna increases the risk of the sensitive retina detaching from the underlying tissue layer. This can lead to a sudden loss of vision and requires immediate medical treatment.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Myopia Magna can also increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a disease affecting the macula, the central area of the retina. This results in a gradual loss of central visual acuity, affecting the ability to read, drive, and recognize faces.

Glaucoma

The increased risk of glaucoma, also known as "green star," is another worrisome complication of Myopia Magna. This disease increases intraocular pressure, damaging the optic nerve and, if left untreated, can lead to complete vision loss.

Neovascularization

Neovascularization, the uncontrolled formation of new blood vessels in the retina, is another potential complication in Myopia Magna. These abnormal vascular formations can damage the retina and lead to visual impairment.

Cataract

People with Myopia Magna are also more prone to cataracts. These people may search for the best cataract lens for myopia.

In Myopia Magna, the excessive elongation of the eyeball can lead to structural changes in the eye. This impairs the normal metabolic process of the eye lens, which is crucial for maintaining its clarity and transparency.

Due to the stretching of the eyeball, there can be a change in fluid and nutrient exchange in the lens, promoting the accumulation of protein deposits. These protein deposits cloud the lens, known as cataracts.

What Are the High Myopia Treatment Options?

Severe myopia requires specialist treatment approaches to correct visual acuity and minimise potential complications. Here are some of high myopia treatment options:

Glasses and Contact Lenses

Glasses and contact lenses are often the first choice for correcting vision problems in severe myopia. They help to properly focus light rays on the retina and improve distance vision. Special glasses or contact lenses can also be custom-fitted for Myopia Magna.

However, wearing glasses with severe myopia can cause the eyes to appear distorted or small to others, which many find unattractive. Contact lenses also carry risks that should be considered before purchase.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Ortho-K is a non-surgical method where special contact lenses are worn overnight to temporarily change the shape of the cornea. This allows clear vision during the day without visual aids. However, the effect is temporary and requires regular application.

Laser Eye Treatment

Laser eye treatment is a method of refractive surgery that can permanently correct Myopia Magna. Laser eye treatment changes the refraction of light in the eye to correct visual impairments such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

In the LASIK method, for example, a thin flap is created in the top corneal layer, which is lifted to reshape the underlying tissue. In the PRK method, the top corneal layer is completely removed to access the underlying tissue. In both cases, an excimer laser is then used to remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue and correct the refraction of incoming light. The goal is to adjust the focal point so that it is focused on the retina.

The results of laser eye treatment usually last a lifetime. Most treated individuals can completely dispense with glasses or contact lenses after the procedure.

Lens Implantation

Lens implantation is an advanced and effective option for treating Myopia Magna. The innovative implants are permanently placed in the eye to correct visual impairments and improve vision. These lenses are implanted in front of the natural lens to correct myopia. Lens implantation is particularly useful in high myopia when other procedures are less or not suitable.

The lens implants can permanently correct visual impairments. Most treated individuals can subsequently completely dispense with visual aids such as glasses or contact lenses.

Refractive Lens Exchange

Refractive lens exchange (RLE) can be another treatment option for high myopia if the retina is not yet damaged. In lens exchange, the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. This procedure, similar to cataract surgery, helps correct the refractive error and improve visual acuity.

How Can You Prevent Myopia Magna?

Prevention of Myopia Magna is challenging due to its genetic and environmental causes, but there are several measures that can help minimise the risk of developing severe myopia.

Regular Eye Examinations

Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and treatment of myopia. Parents should take their children to regular eye exams, especially if they are at higher risk due to family history.

Outdoor Activities

Increasing the time children spend outdoors can reduce the risk of developing myopia. Sunlight and activities in open spaces can positively affect the growth of the eyeball.

Limiting Near Work

Limiting activities that require intense close-up focus, such as prolonged reading or excessive screen time, can help reduce the risk of myopia. Regular breaks during near work are also recommended.

Healthy Diet

A balanced diet rich in nutrients important for eye health, such as vitamin A, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids, can contribute to maintaining healthy vision.

Conclusion

Myopia Magna is a severe form of nearsightedness that requires special attention and treatment to minimise vision problems and complications.

Early detection, regular eye exams, and appropriate high myopia treatments are crucial to maintaining optimal eye health and vision quality. Preventive measures such as regular outdoor activities and limiting near work can also help reduce the risk of developing Myopia Magna.