High Myopia Causes

High myopia is sometimes an inherited genetic condition, and is marked by the eyeball stretching and growing too long. This throws off the eyeball's normal proportions, so that incoming light focuses in front of the retina, instead of on it. Blurred vision results, as do a number of possible complications:

• The retina's center (macula) thins with age. While this does not affect side (peripheral) vision, the ability to focus on a particular object (like reading a sign) diminishes and is eventually lost.
• Retinal thinning can also lead to tears and holes, which can cause the retina to detach. (Learn more about retinal detachment.)
• The retina can split, a condition called myopic retinoschisis (MRS).
• Layers of the eye under the retina can degenerate or crack, allowing new, faulty blood vessels to grow under the retina (a process called choroidal neovascularization, or CNV). The vessels can bleed and scar, with small scars causing minor macular damage and larger ones more significant problems.
• Increased eye pressure may lead to glaucoma.
• Cataracts are more likely to develop.
• The eyes become more susceptible to injuries and other traumas, like surgery.