Low myopia is considered to be a refractive error under –3.00 Diopters. According to the American Optometric Association, myopia currently affects one in three Americans. Scientists expect that in 30 years, about 50% of the world’s population will be myopic. An alarming worldwide trend is an increasing prevalence of myopia. Although some people's myopia continues to progress past this age. Most people’s myopia stabilizes by around age 20. Researchers have found that the risk of developing myopia increases with:Ĭontinuous periods of near work activities at close viewing distance without a break In myopia, light rays entering the eyes are focused at a point in front of the retina. To gain a better grasp of which type of myopia increases the risk of myopic macular degeneration, a brief review of the types of myopia is helpful: Severity of myopia It is a complication of a certain type of myopia. It is also not due to the refractive error itself. It is important to understand that this condition is uncommon. It can be alarming to learn that myopia can lead to a sight-threatening condition such as myopic macular degeneration. I have myopia - will I get myopic macular degeneration? It may be performed to relieve traction at the macula. Vitreoretinal surgery is a surgical procedure. It may also be used to treat neovascularization of the retina. Photodynamic therapy is a procedure using a laser and a special medicine to seal off leaky, abnormal blood vessels. ![]() An individual may receive injections in the eye of a medicine that reduces the growth of abnormal blood vessels. This can help to prevent irreversible vision loss. The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows eye doctors to identify structural changes, such as maculopathy, caused by pathological myopia.Ĭurrent treatments focus on minimizing the growth of new leaky blood vessels. They can result in retinal hemorrhage (bleeding).įuchs spots – This is scarring at the macula from CNV that causes missing spots in central vision. Lacquer cracks – These are breaks in the membrane between the choroid (blood vessel layer) and retina. Peripapillary atrophy – This is deterioration and thinning around the optic nerve.Ĭhorioretinal atrophy –This is the result of a retina that has thinned to the degree that retinal cells have begun dying.Ĭhoroidal neovascularization (CNV) – These are abnormal, leaky blood vessels that grow onto the retina from the choroid. Posterior staphyloma is one of the major factors that can cause the development of MMD. It causes distortions in the overlying retina. Posterior staphyloma – This can occur when the sclera thins and bulges. This enables them to look for clinical signs of pathological myopia that often accompany MMD. How do doctors diagnose and treat myopic macular degeneration?Īn eye doctor will perform a dilated eye exam to view the back of the eye. Presence of posterior staphyloma – When the sclera thins and bulges, it results in distortions in the overlying retina. Two important factors contribute to pathological myopia and can lead to MMD:Įlongation of the eyeball – An increase in the eyeball’s axial length (distance from the front of the eye to the back of the eye). When deeper layers of the retina begin to crack and atrophy, it can lead to bleeding at the macula. This is the formation of abnormal, leaky blood vessels as a result of thinning and atrophy. When this occurs at the macula, it leads to myopic macular degeneration.Ĭhoroidal neovascularization can also occur at the macula. The overstretching and thinning of the retina that occurs in pathological myopia causes the cells of the retina to slowly die, or atrophy. This may be a sign of a retinal detachment and is an emergency condition. If a sudden onset of floaters or flashing lights or a dark curtain over your vision is noticed, contact a doctor immediately. These include an increased risk of retinal detachment, retinal tears and posterior vitreous detachment. Other degenerative changes to the back of the eye also occur with MMD. These changes are due to elongation of the eyeball, which leads to overstretching and thinning of the retina, choroid and sclera. This is myopia that is associated with degenerative changes in the back of the eye. Myopic macular degeneration occurs in pathological myopia. A recent study found that adults with high myopia and myopic macular degeneration may experience visual field loss as well. ![]() It can result in permanent vision impairment and blindness. Myopic maculopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. ![]() Decreased visual acuity, even after correctionĭistorted vision, with straight lines appearing wavyĭifficulty with everyday tasks such as reading, driving or cooking due to distorted vision
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