When people think of myopia (nearsightedness), they often think of it as a simple vision problem that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. But what happens when myopia becomes severe or “high myopia”? While it’s common for myopia to progress during childhood and adolescence, high myopia can pose more significant risks to your child’s eye health as it increases the likelihood of other serious eye conditions. 

What is high myopia? 

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. High myopia refers to nearsightedness that is typically -6.00 diopters or more. As myopia increases, the risk for complications also rises. 

Why is high myopia dangerous? 

High myopia can increase the chances of developing several eye conditions, including: 

1. Retinal Detachment 

With high myopia, the retina—the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye—becomes more stretched out. This can lead to retinal tears or detachment, which can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. 

2. Glaucoma 

People with high myopia are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. Glaucoma typically develops without noticeable symptoms until it has caused significant damage, so regular eye exams are crucial for those with high myopia. 

3. Cataracts 

Myopia, particularly high myopia, is associated with an increased risk of developing cataracts at a younger age. Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, making it harder to see clearly. 

4. Macular Degeneration 

Myopia can also raise the risk of macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes the central part of your vision to become blurry or distorted. This condition is often linked to the stretching of the eye in high myopia. 

How to prevent myopia progression in children  

While glasses and standard contact lenses correct blurred vision caused by myopia, they won’t treat the underlying cause. Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses correct vision while simultaneously slowing myopia progression. Ortho-k lenses gently reshape your child’s corneas while they sleep. When your child removes the lenses in the morning, they will be able to see clearly all day without needing glasses or regular contacts.  

Starting ortho-k treatment early in a child’s life can have significant benefits in managing myopia progression. Studies show that orthokeratology can slow down the elongation of the eyeball that leads to high myopia, lowering your child’s risk of severe eye conditions later on.  

It is important to note that the process is temporary, and ortho-k lenses won’t cause any permanent changes to the eyes. If your child stops wearing the lenses, their vision will return to its original state. However, while wearing the lenses, myopia progression will slow down. 

Benefits of ortho-k for kids  

• Slows progression: Studies have shown that ortho-k can slow the rate of myopia progression by around 50% in some children. 
• Improves quality of life: Kids who use ortho-k lenses don’t need glasses or contacts during the day, which can make playing sports and other activities easier and more comfortable. Parents don’t need to worry about glasses breaking or contact lenses falling out when children play outdoors! 
• Reduces the risk of complications: By slowing myopia progression, ortho-k can help reduce the risks of serious eye conditions associated with high myopia, like retinal detachment or glaucoma. 

At Coastal Family Eye Care, we offer ortho-k lenses in Orange Beach and other techniques to slow myopia progression in children. If you’re concerned about high myopia or its progression, we can help assess your or your child’s needs and determine the best course of action for long-term eye health. 

If you’re interested in learning more about ortho-k and how it can help manage myopia, contact us today.