Pathological Myopia

Pathological myopia is a severe form of short-sightedness in which the eye becomes excessively long, causing degenerative changes at the back of the eye and a risk of lasting vision loss.

Common symptoms

Very high short-sighted prescription, blurred or distorted central vision, floaters, flashes, and sudden changes that may signal bleeding or a tear in the retina.

Description

Pathological myopia, sometimes called degenerative or high myopia, goes beyond the everyday short-sightedness that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The eyeball is unusually long, which stretches and thins the retina, choroid, and other structures at the back of the eye.

This stretching can lead to changes such as lacquer cracks, choroidal neovascularisation, macular atrophy, retinal tears, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. The condition is a leading cause of sight loss in adults of working age in many countries.

Regular eye examinations are essential to monitor the retina and detect complications early. Treatments may include eye injections for new blood vessels, laser or surgery for retinal tears or detachment, and low vision support for any lasting visual impairment.