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Understanding Refractive Errors: What is Degenerative Myopia?
At The EyeDoctors, we address a specific vision concern known as degenerative myopia, often termed pathological or progressive myopia. This condition is a specialized form of nearsightedness, where individuals have clear vision for close objects but face difficulties seeing distant objects clearly.
Degenerative myopia goes beyond typical nearsightedness and is usually linked to high myopia – a severe form of nearsightedness. It's characterized by changes in the back of the eye, which can lead to serious issues, including the risk of blindness if not addressed in time.
A key step in diagnosing degenerative myopia is a comprehensive eye exam, focusing on the retina. It’s essential to distinguish between regular myopia and the degenerative
How Degenerative Myopia Develops
Affecting around 3% of the global population, degenerative myopia is relatively rare and often begins in childhood, like regular nearsightedness. The root cause is an elongation of the eyeball, leading to stretching and weakening of the retina and other tissues at the back of the eye. This progression results in worsening vision over time.
There is also a hereditary aspect to degenerative myopia. A family history of the condition increases the likelihood of its occurrence, highlighting the importance of regular eye examinations from a young age for prompt detection and management.
Identifying Symptoms of Degenerative Myopia?
Several key symptoms indicate the presence of degenerative myopia and affect your daily life. These include:
Persistent Blurry Vision: Vision remains unclear even with glasses or contacts.
Distorted Lines: Straight lines may seem wavy, suggesting retinal changes.
Central Blind Spots: Gaps in the central field of vision can occur.
Visual Disturbances: Floaters and flashes are common signs of degenerative myopia.
Challenges in Daily Activities: Reading, driving, and other tasks requiring clear vision become difficult.
Should you notice these symptoms, consult an eye doctor for a detailed examination. Timely treatment can help manage the condition and safeguard your vision.
Related Eye Conditions
Due to the damage caused to the back of the eye, degenerative myopia can lead to other serious eye problems. Some of the most common complications include:
Myopic Maculopathy
This severe condition, also known as myopic macular degeneration, includes symptoms like retinal bleeding, layer splitting, detachment, or macular holes. This condition is challenging to treat, often requiring surgery depending on the individual case.
Peripapillary Atrophy
Peripapillary atrophy occurs when the tissue around the optic nerve deteriorates. These thin areas around the optic nerve might appear white, yellow, or black. If the area enlarges over time, it could indicate glaucoma, a serious eye condition.
Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachment
Retinal tears require immediate surgical attention and can occur due to trauma or surgery. If left untreated, a retinal tear could become a detached retina, potentially leading to permanent vision loss or blindness. If you experience sudden flashes of light, numerous new floaters, a shadow in your peripheral vision, or a gray curtain obstructing your vision, visit an eye doctor right away.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma, a major cause of irreversible blindness, arises from an imbalance in eye fluid production and drainage. This increases pressure within the eye, damaging the optic nerve. Regular eye exams are vital for early detection and treatment.
Diagnosing and Managing Degenerative Myopia
Our team at The EyeDoctors can diagnose degenerative myopia through comprehensive eye exams, including detailed retinal assessments. While there's no outright cure, we focus on managing its effects and limiting further retinal damage. Treatment options include:
Anti-VEGF Therapy
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a protein that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels. In some cases, overproduction of VEGF leads to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye, risking low vision or blindness. Anti-VEGF medications like Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea inhibit VEGF to control abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, helping to slow or sometimes improve vision loss.
Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery
Vitreoretinal surgeries are performed deep inside the eye, targeting the vitreous and retina. These procedures use lasers or conventional surgical instruments to address issues in these sensitive areas. Vitreoretinal surgical and laser techniques are effective in restoring, preserving, and enhancing vision, especially in cases of macular degeneration related to degenerative myopia.
Photodynamic Therapy
This less common therapy uses a light-activated drug to seal abnormal blood vessels, preventing further vision loss. Photodynamic therapy combines a light-sensitive medicine with a specific laser light to create blood clots in abnormal blood vessels, preventing further vision loss.
Treat Degenerative Myopia at The EyeDoctors
At The EyeDoctors, we are committed to diagnosing and managing various eye conditions, including degenerative myopia. Prompt identification is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening, and with the help of an optometrist, you can avoid further vision deterioration.
Experiencing symptoms of degenerative myopia? Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with The EyeDoctors today for expert care and guidance in maintaining optimal vision health.